Nature
The Hermit
Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell (1921) · From Fir-Flower Tablets (1921)
A cold rain blurs the edges of the river.
Night enters Wu.
In the level brightness of dawn
I saw my friend start alone for the Ch'u Mountain.
He gave me this message for his friends and relations at Lo Yang:
My heart is a piece of ice in a jade cup.
Codex Note
One of the "Written Pictures" (poems inscribed on Chinese paintings): composed by Wang Ch'ang-ling; the version on the painting was written out by Li Hai-ku (19th century).
Cite this poem
MLA
Ch’ang-ling, Wang. “The Hermit.” Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wang-chang-ling/4/.
Chicago
Ch’ang-ling, Wang. “The Hermit.” Translated by Florence Ayscough and Amy Lowell. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wang-chang-ling/4/.
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