To the hills of the east we went,
And long had we there to remain.
When the word of recall was sent,
Thick and fast came the drizzling rain.
When told our return we should take,
Our hearts in the West were and sore;
But there did they clothes for us make:–
They knew our hard service was o’er.
On the mulberry grounds in our sight
The large caterpillars were creeping;
Lonely and still we passed the night,
All under our carriages sleeping.
To the hills of the East we went,
And long had we there to remain.
When the word of recall was sent,
Thick and fast came the drizzling rain.
The heavenly gourds rise to the eye,
With their fruit hanging under the eave.
In our chambers the sow-bug we spy;
Their webs on our doors spiders weave.
Our paddocks seem crowded with deer,
With the glow-worm’s light all about.
Such thoughts, while they filled us with fear,
We tried, but in vain, to keep out.
To the hills of the East we went,
And long had we there to remain.
When the word of recall was sent,
Thick and fast came the drizzling rain.
On ant-hills screamed cranes with delight;
In their rooms were our wives sighing sore.
Our homes they had swept and made tight:–
All at once we arrived at the door.
The bitter gourds hanging are seen,
From branches of chestnut-trees high.
Three years of toil away we had been,
Since such a sight greeted the eye.
To the hills of the East we went,
And long had we there to remain.
When the word of recall was sent,
Thick and fast came the drizzling rain.
With its wings now here, and now there,
Is the oriole sporting in flight.
Those brides to their husbands repair,
Their steeds red and bay, flecked with white.
Each mother has fitted each sash;
Their equipments are full and complete;
But fresh unions, whatever their dash,
Can ne’er with reunions compete.
(Confucius)
More Poetry from Confucius:
Confucius Poems based on Topics: Mind, Light, Sense & Perception, Night, Fear, Sleep, Service, Competition, Sleeping- King Seuen On The Occasion Of A Great Drought (Confucius Poems)
- An Ode On The Return Of The Troops (Confucius Poems)
- The Complaint Of An Officer (Confucius Poems)
- The Plaint Of King Yew's Forsaken Wife (Confucius Poems)
- Celebrating King Wan (Confucius Poems)
- On The Completion Of A Royal Palace (Confucius Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Night Poems, Light Poems, Mind Poems, Sense & Perception Poems, Sleep Poems, Fear Poems, Service Poems, Sleeping Poems, Competition PoemsBased on Keywords: paddocks, gourds, unions, caterpillars, eave, chestnut-trees, ant-hills, reunions, equipments