Pavilions of dance, terraces of song,
clusters of lovely silks!
Yet now, no traces of visitors,
only springtime wind.
" Treading the Green, " unlimited
feelings of lamentation
all absorbed into the setting orb
of the Southern Dynasties.

You're a vessel
full of fresh tea leaves.
After I enter,
I forget the old tea,
I forget the old tea.

Narcissus and chrysanthemum —
lovely shapes together;
she places them in a porcelain vase,
two or three of each.
Bending low beside the little window
in flickering lamplight shadows,
my jade one has risen from her sick bed,
braving the cold air.

Clusters of cold-weather blossoms,
standing quietly:
each branch weighted with mottled beauty now.
I think of consulting you for tips on flower arrangement —
but here they are before my eyes, in lamplight,
against a white wall.

Write in a lively style, as fish swim in the water;
in the midst of substance, put in something light.
The ancients wrote books without using any theory:
writers of today can't write a thing
unless they have a theory.

All morning long I correct my books, changing " lu " to " yii , "
but doubts are dispelled only when the mind is void.
The door swings open — the south wind enters
and scatters the books all over the floor.

Willow catkins, white as cotton,
the fluff has just appeared;
damson plums, new and green,
the pits have still not formed.
A woman serves wine at the counter
wearing a melon-shaped hat;
a young girl takes a sip of wine,
lips as red as cherries.

This morning the air is fine for Ch'ing-ming;
along the river, wild flowers open everywhere.
An old farmer earnestly carries flowers to the grave:
two butterflies follow him, flying where he goes.

Achilles banefull wrath resound, O Goddesse, that imposd
Infinite sorrowes on the Greekes ; and many brave soules losd
From breasts Heroique: sent them farre, to that invisible cave
That no light comforts: and their lims, to dogs and vultures gave.
To all which, Joves will gave effect; from whom, first strife begunne,
Betwixt Atrides , king of men; and Thetis godlike Sonne.

The Wrath of Peleus Son, O Muse, resound;
Whose dire Effects the Grecian Army found:
And many a Heroe, King, and hardy Knight,
Were sent, in early Youth, to Shades of Night:
Their Limbs a Prey to Dogs and Vulturs made;
So was the Sov'reign Will of Jove obey'd:
From that ill-omen'd Hour when Strife begun,
Betwixt Atrides Great, and Thetis God-like Son.