More Translations from the Chinese/To a Talkative Guest

by Bai Juyi

[56] TO A TALKATIVE GUEST

[A.D. 836]

The town visitor's easy talk flows in an endless stream;
The country host's quiet thoughts ramble timidly on.
"I beg you, Sir, do not tell me about things at Ch'ang-an;
For you entered just when my harp was tuned and lying balanced on my knees."