Nature
A Desultory Visit to the Fêng Hsien Temple at the Dragon's Gate
Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell (1921) · From Fir-Flower Tablets (1921)
I had already wandered away from the People's Temple,
But I was obliged to sleep within the temple precincts.
The dark ravine was full of the music of silence,
The moon scattered bright shadows through the forest.
The Great Gate against the sky seemed to impinge upon the paths of the planets.
Sleeping among the clouds, my upper garments, my lower garments, were cold.
Wishing to wake, I heard the sunrise bell
Commanding men to come forth and examine themselves in meditation.
Cite this poem
MLA
Fu, Tu. “A Desultory Visit to the Fêng Hsien Temple at the Dragon's Gate.” Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/tu-fu/15/.
Chicago
Fu, Tu. “A Desultory Visit to the Fêng Hsien Temple at the Dragon's Gate.” Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/tu-fu/15/.
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