The Jade Mountain/From Ch'in Country to the Buddhist Priest Yuan

by Meng Haoran

FROM CH'IN COUNTRY
TO THE BUDDHIST PRIEST YUAN

How gladly I would seek a mountainIf I had enough means to live as a recluse!For I turn at last from serving the StateTo the Eastern Woods Temple and to you, my master.. . . Like ashes of gold in a cinnamon-flame,My youthful desires have been burnt with the years—And tonight in the chilling sunset-windA cicada, singing, weighs on my heart.

(63, 44)