A Farewell48
By Li Tai-Peh
Far up the Song-Yang’s sacred mountain,
Unrestrained by lock or bridge,
Plows a pure and peaceful streamlet
‘Neath the ‘Gem-Maid’s’ grassy ridge.
There at eve midst pine-trees sombre
Looms the large and lustrous moon;
And within my ancient dwelling
You I hope to welcome soon.
Yes, my friend, I’ll come to see you
At the closing of the year,
In your home among the mountains,
Where you live without a fear.
Deep in searching for the Chang-pu,
With its bloom-flushed purple flower,
Which endows the happy finder
With immortal life and power.
Ere I come you may have found it,
And to realms where genii dwell
Winged your flight upon the dragon,
Bidding to our earth farewell.
Notes
48 Poems similar to this one are frequently written by literary men in China when bidding farewell to a friend.