Page:The works of Li Po - Obata.djvu/179

 106. TWO LETTERS FROM CHANG-KAN— II -

(Another river-merchant's wife writes) pN^

I lived in my maiden bower, jZr*

Unaware of all things of the world. /

Since married to you of Chang-kan town,

I wander the river bank to spy the weather. ST~

In May the south wind blows, ' >l

I think of you sailing down to Pa-ling; («^

In August the west wind arises,

And I know you will part from Yangtzu.

You come and go, I sorrow ever,

Seeing you so little, and living so much apart.

When will you arrive at Hsiang-tan?

My dream goes over the wind-tossed waves.

Last night a storm went past in fury,

Tearing down trees on the riverside,

Spreading darkness without end —

Where were you, then, poor traveler?

Would I could ride the swift-drifting cloud,

And meet you in good time east of Orchid Beach!

Oh, the happy pair of mandarin-ducks among the

reed, And the purple kingfishers, embroidered on the gold

screen ! Why at fifteen years and little more, My face pink like the peach flower, [153]

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