Living
Good-Bye to the People of Hangchow
Translated by Arthur Waley (1919) · From More Translations from the Chinese (1919)
Elders and officers line the returning road;
Wine and soup load the parting table.
I have not ruled you with the wisdom of Shao Kung;
What is the reason your tears should fall so fast?
My taxes were heavy, though many of the people were poor;
The farmers were hungry, for often their fields were dry.
All I did was to dam the water of the Lake
And help a little in a year when things were bad.
Cite this poem
MLA
Chü-i, Po. “Good-Bye to the People of Hangchow.” Translated by Arthur Waley. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/po-chu-i/94/.
Chicago
Chü-i, Po. “Good-Bye to the People of Hangchow.” Translated by Arthur Waley. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/po-chu-i/94/.
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