Saw the banners in pale light, Climbing upwards in cold hills, Found where men and horses drank. Till below us Pin-chou Plains, Parted by the Ching s fierce torrent, Where the Wild Tigers stood, And split the rocks when they roared. Simple things give us joy. Washed by the rain and dew, Sour and sweet the fruits of nature, Bring to mind Peach Blossom Story, Not this life that s gone and wasted. Fieldmice, little guardians, upright, Listen for the owls in mulberry, Like Men of Ch in before the battle.
Moonlight shines here on white bones.
Once a million men positioned Here to hold the Pass. There perished Half of Ch in, now wandering spirits. I too drowned in alien dust. Back again now. A year on with whitened hair, To a poor and simple house, My dear wife dressed in rags, Who seeing me cries like rain, Or fountains bubbling underground.