A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems/On the Birth of his Son
ON THE BIRTH OF HIS SON
By Su Tung-p'o [A. D. 1036–1101]
Families, when a child is born
Want it to be intelligent.
I, through intelligence,
Having wrecked my whole life,
Only hope the baby will prove
Ignorant and stupid.
Then he will crown a tranquil life
By becoming a Cabinet Minister.