Book IV. The Decade of Ch‘i Fu: II. Pai Chü

II The Pai Chü; narrative. The writer expresses his regret at the abandonment of public life by an officer whom he admired. 1Free let the brilliant white colt eat The tenderest produce in my yard. Secure it by the neck and feet; And this morn's pleasure safely guard. Its owner, cherished in my heart, Shall then with me at ease abide. Alas that he should e’er depart. And hermitlike his merit hide! p. 228 2Free let the brilliant white colt eat The bean sprouts growing in my yard. Secure it by the neck and feet, This evening's joy thus safely guard. Its owner, cherished in my heart, Shall then be here, a guest admired. O could I wile him from the part He wants to play, from men retired! 3O leave thy colt of brilliant white! If thou to me would’st blithely come, As duke or marquis, honors bright Thou should’st obtain, and in thy home Find endless joy. Try to restrain, With strictest curb, thy roaming mind: And from the hermit life refrain, To which thou art so much inclined. 4’Tis vain. The brilliant white colt view, Deep in that empty valley stand, Before it placed a bundle new Of grass plucked by its master's hand. That master as a gem I hold. O that, relenting, he may send What I'll prize more than gems or gold,— News that he still remains my friend!