Nature
Lake Shang
Translated by L. Cranmer-Byng (1909) · From A Lute of Jade (1909)
Oh! she is like a picture in the spring,
This lake of Shang, with the wild hills gathering
Into a winding garden at the base
Of stormless waters; pines, deep blue, enlace
The lessening slopes, and broken moonlight gleams
Across the waves like pearls we thread in dreams.
Like a woof of jasper strands the corn unfolds,
Field upon field beyond the quiet wolds;
The late-blown rush flaunts in the dusk serene
Her netted sash and slender skirt of green.
Sadly I turn my prow toward the shore,
The dream behind me and the world before.
O Lake of Shang, his feet may wander far
Whose soul thou holdest mirrored as a star.
Cite this poem
MLA
Chü-i, Po. “Lake Shang.” Translated by L. Cranmer-Byng. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/po-chu-i/114/.
Chicago
Chü-i, Po. “Lake Shang.” Translated by L. Cranmer-Byng. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/po-chu-i/114/.
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