Page:Gems of Chinese literature (1922).djvu/204

  The wind bore him delicately from the throne of God. He swept away the chaff and husks of his generation. He roamed over the limits of the earth. He clothed all nature with his bright rays, The third in the triumvirate of genius. His rivals panted after him in vain, Dazed by the brilliancy of his light. He cursed Buddha: he offended his prince. He journeyed far away to the distant south. He passed the grave of Shun, and wept over the daughters of Yao. The water-god went before him and stilled the waves. He drove out the fierce monster as it were a lamb. But above, in heaven, there was no music, and God was sad, And summoned him to his place beside the Throne. And now, with these poor offerings, I salute him; With red licheeslychees [sic] and yellow plantain fruit. Alas, that he did not linger awhile on earth, But passed so soon, with streaming hair, into the great unknown.



 