Page:More Translations from the Chinese (Waley).djvu/92

 [55] OLD AGE

are growing old together, you and I, Let us ask ourselves, what is age like? The dull eye is closed ere night comes; The idle head, still uncombed at noon. Propped on a staff, sometimes a walk abroad; Or all day sitting with closed doors. One dares not look in the mirror's polished face; One cannot read small-letter books. Deeper and deeper, one's love of old friends; Fewer and fewer, one's dealings with young men. One thing only, the pleasure of idle talk, Is great as ever, when you and I meet. [88]