Page:The works of Li Po - Obata.djvu/193

 118. TO THE HONORABLE JUSTICE HSIN

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��Once we dwelt in the city of Chang-an

In wild ecstasy of flowers and willow-green.

We drank our wine from the same bowls

With five princes and seven dukes.

Our hearts rose and grew blither,

Unflinching in the presence of a warrior lord;

Nor did we fall behind any one, when,

Delighting in wind and stream, we sought beauty. jX^

You had red cheeks, then; and I was young, too. We sped our horses to Chang-tai's pleasure mart, And lightly carried our crops of gold;. *

Offered our essays in the court examination; **T i\

And sat feasting at a tortoise table; ^ r _ aj

And there was endless singing and dancing; ... k c*

We thought it would last forever, you and I — •<*

How were we to know that the grass would tremble And the wind and dust come, roaring down?

Down through the Han-ku Pass The Tartar horsemen came. I am an exile now, traveling heavy-hearted, Far away to the land of Yeh-lang. The peach and plum trees by the palace Are opening their petals toward the light — Ah, when will the Gold Cock bring me pardon, And I may return to you from banishment?

The Gold Cock was displayed as symbol for amnesty. [167]

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