Living
Integer Vitæ
Translated by Herbert A. Giles (1898) · From Chinese Poetry in English Verse (1898)
Living
Riches and rank — a morning dream in spring;
Fame — but an unsubstantial cloud above;
Thy very body is not thine for ay;
Hate is the end of love.
Fix not a golden collar on thy neck;
Be not with chain of jade in service bound;
Pure heart and few desires: earth's dust shake off —
And happiness is found.
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (Classical Chinese). “Integer Vitæ.” Translated by Herbert A. Giles. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/classical-chinese-anonymous/15/.
Chicago
Anonymous (Classical Chinese). “Integer Vitæ.” Translated by Herbert A. Giles. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/classical-chinese-anonymous/15/.
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