Classic Poem

That which has life inevitably dies,
May the early dead their fate's haste blame
Remembered last night amongst the living men,
Today enrolled amongst the ghosts my name
Where does the spirit once departed fly
When dry form rests within the hollow wood?
My loving children for their father cry,
Mourning above my corpse my kinsmen good.
No more can I distinguish loss or gain,
No more twixt right and wrong can I decide
For ages hence when centuries roll by
To know my fame or shame who will abide?
But I regret that in the world above
I longed for wine and never had enough

2

In former days I wanted wine to drink;
The wine this morning fills the cup in vain.
I see the spring mead with its floating foam,
And wonder when to taste of it again
The feast before me lavishly is spread,
My relatives and friends beside me cry
I wish to speak but lips can shape no voice,
I wish to see but light has left my eye
I slept of old within the lofty hall,
Amidst wild weeds to rest I now descend
When once I pass beyond the city gate
I shall return to darkness without end

3

How desolate the weeds appear;
Rustling the leaves of aspen trees forlorn
In bitter frost, upon an Autumn day,
Far out beyond the city am I borne.
No human habitance on any side,
Only the towering tombs that scattered lie.
Stretching their necks the horses skyward neigh,
While cold winds wailing make the forest sigh.
The gloomy chamber once in darkness sealed,
A thousand years the light of day will fail
A thousand years the light of day will fail,
While wise and learned nothing can avail
Those who went forth my coffin to escort
Now homeward to their families repair
My relatives may feel some sorrow still,
The rest already hum another air.
My body in the mountain side they lay;
No dead and gone, what more is there to say?