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Fir-Flower Tablets

THE MOON OVER THE MOUNTAIN PASS

Florence Wheelock Ayscough translation

BY LI T'AI-PO

The bright moon rises behind the Heaven-high Mountain, A sea of clouds blows along the pale, wide sky. The far-off wind has come from nearly ten thousand _li_, It has blown across the Jade Gate Pass. Down the Po Têng Road went the people of Han To waylay the men of Hu beside the Bright Green Bay. From the beginning, of those who go into battle, Not one man is seen returning. The exiled Official gazes at the frontier town, He thinks of his return home, and his face is very bitter. Surely to-night, in the distant cupola, He sighs, and draws heavy breaths. How then can rest be his?

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