Living
After Passing the Examination
Translated by Arthur Waley (1919) · From More Translations from the Chinese (1919)
For ten years I never left my books;
I went up ... and won unmerited praise.
My high place I do not much prize;
The joy of my parents will first make me proud.
Fellow students, six or seven men,
See me off as I leave the City gate.
My covered couch is ready to drive away;
Flutes and strings blend their parting tune.
Hopes achieved dull the pains of parting;
Fumes of wine shorten the long road....
Shod with wings is the horse of him who rides
On a Spring day the road that leads to home.
Cite this poem
MLA
Chü-i, Po. “After Passing the Examination.” Translated by Arthur Waley. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/po-chu-i/60/.
Chicago
Chü-i, Po. “After Passing the Examination.” Translated by Arthur Waley. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/po-chu-i/60/.
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