by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (156 BCE - 87 BCE)
Translation by Arthur Waley (1889 - 1969)

Language: English  after the Chinese (中文) 
Autumn wind rises; white clouds fly.
Grass and trees wither; geese go south.
Orchids all in bloom; chrysanthemums smell sweet.
I think of my lovely lady; I never can forget.
Floating pagoda-boat crosses Fēn river;
Across the mid-stream white waves rise;
Flute and drum keep time to sound of rower's song;
Amidst revel and feasting, sad thoughts come;
Youth's years how few! Age how sure!

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Composition:

Text Authorship:

  • by Arthur Waley (1889 - 1969), "The Autumn Wind", first published 1946

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2013-02-11
Line count: 9
Word count: 66