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More Translations from the Chinese, by Arthur Waley, [1919], at sacred-texts.com


p. 92

[58] MY SERVANT WAKES ME

(A.D. 839)

My servant wakes me: "Master, it is broad day.
Rise from bed; I bring you bowl and comb.
Winter comes and the morning air is chill;
To-day your Honour must not venture abroad."
When I stay at home, no one comes to call;
What must I do with the long, idle hours?
Setting my chair where a faint sunshine falls
I have warmed wine and opened my poetry-books.


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