SONG
By Sung Tzŭ-hou [second century A. D.]
On the Eastern Way at the city of Lo-yang
At the edge of the road peach-trees and plum-trees grow;
On the two sides,— flower matched by flower;
Across the road,— leaf touching leaf.
A spring wind rises from the north-east;
Flowers and leaves gently nod and sway.
Up the road somebody's daughter comes
Carrying a basket, to gather silkworms' food.
[She sees the fruit trees in blossom and, forgetting about her silkworms, begins to pluck the branches.]
With her slender hand she breaks a branch from the tree;
The flowers fall, tossed and scattered in the wind.
The tree says:
Why should you hate me and do me injury?"
The lady answers:
When the white dew changes to hoar-frost,
At the year's end the wind would have lashed your boughs,
