Page:More Translations from the Chinese (Waley).djvu/98

 Alas! I am no Sage. I could neither forget past feelings nor show such sensibility as this beast reputed incapable of feeling! Things that happen lay hold of my heart, and when my heart is moved, I cannot control it. Therefore, smiling at myself, I called this song "A Song of Past Feelings Unforgotten."

The Song says:

'' I was selling my white horse And sending Willow Branch away. She covered her dark eyebrows; He trailed his golden halter. The horse, for want of speech, Neighed long and turned his head; And Willow Branch, twice bowing, Knelt long and spoke to me: "Master, you have ridden this horse five years,
 * One thousand eight hundred days;

Meekly he has borne the bit,
 * Without shying, without bolting.

And I have served you for ten years,
 * Three thousand and six hundred days;

Patient carrier of towel and comb,
 * Without complaint, without loss.

And now, though my shape is lowly,
 * I am still fresh and strong.

And the colt is still in his prime,
 * Without lameness or fault.

Why should you not use the colt's strength
 * To replace your sick legs? ''

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