More Translations from the Chinese/Illness

by Bai Juyi

[61] ILLNESS

[Written circa 842, when he was paralyzed]

Dear friends, there is no cause for so much sympathy.
I shall certainly manage from time to time to take my walks abroad.
All that matters is an active mind, what is the use of feet?
By land one can ride in a carrying-chair; by water, be rowed in a boat.