The Jade Mountain/Orchid and Orange

by Zhang Jiuling

ORCHID AND ORANGE
(A Plea for Official Preferment)

I

Tender orchid-leaves in springAnd cinnamon-blossoms bright in autumnAre as self-contained as life is,Which conforms them to the seasons. Yet why will you think that a forest-hermit,Allured by sweet winds and contented with beauty,Would no more ask to; be transplantedThan would any other natural flower?

II

Here, south of the Yang-tsze, grows a red orange-tree.All winter long its leaves are green,Not because of a warmer soil,But because its nature is used to the cold.Though it might serve your honourable guests,You leave it here, far below mountain and river;Circumstance governs destiny.Cause and effect are an infinite cycle.You plant your peach-trees and your plums,You forget the shade from this other tree.