The Project Gutenberg Translations from the Chinese, by Arthur Waley.

 

EVENING

[a.d. 835]

Water’s colour at-dusk still white; 
Sunsets glow in-the-dark gradually nil.  
Windy lotus shakes [like] broken fan;  
Wave-moon stirs [like] string [of] jewels. 
Crickets chirping answer one another;  
Mandarin-ducks sleep, not alone.  
Little servant repeatedly announces night;  
Returning steps still hesitate.

 

 

 

LAZY MAN’S SONG

[a.d. 811]

I have got patronage, but am too lazy to use it;  

I have got land, but am too lazy to farm it.  

My house leaks; I am too lazy to mend it.  

My clothes are torn; I am too lazy to darn them.  

I have got wine, but am too lazy to drink;  

So it’s just the same as if my cellar were empty.  

I have got a harp, but am too lazy to play;  

So it’s just the same as if it had no strings. 

My wife tells me there is no more bread in the house; 

I want to bake, but am too lazy to grind.  

My friends and relatives write me long letters;  

I should like to read them, but they’re such a bother to open. 

I have always been told that Chi Shu-yeh*

Passed his whole life in absolute idleness.  

But he played the harp and sometimes transmuted metals, So even he was not so lazy as I.

 

 

 

 

*Also known as Chi K‘ang. A famous Quietist.

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Translations by Arthur Waley

1. A HUNDRED AND SEVENTY CHINESE POEMS
2. MORE TRANSLATIONS FROM THE CHINESE

 Source:

The Project Gutenberg eBook of More Translations from the Chinese, by Arthur Waley.

 http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16500/16500-h/16500-h.htm#DRINKING_ALONE_BY_MOONLIGHT