118. TO THE HONORABLE JUSTICE HSIN
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��Once we dwelt in the city of Chang-an
In wild ecstasy of flowers and willow-green.
We drank our wine from the same bowls
With five princes and seven dukes.
Our hearts rose and grew blither,
Unflinching in the presence of a warrior lord;
Nor did we fall behind any one, when,
Delighting in wind and stream, we sought beauty. jX^
You had red cheeks, then; and I was young, too. We sped our horses to Chang-tai's pleasure mart, And lightly carried our crops of gold; . *
Offered our essays in the court examination; **T i\
And sat feasting at a tortoise table; ^ r _ aj
And there was endless singing and dancing; ... k c*
We thought it would last forever, you and I — •<*
How were we to know that the grass would tremble And the wind and dust come, roaring down?
Down through the Han-ku Pass The Tartar horsemen came. I am an exile now, traveling heavy-hearted, Far away to the land of Yeh-lang. The peach and plum trees by the palace Are opening their petals toward the light — Ah, when will the Gold Cock bring me pardon, And I may return to you from banishment?
The Gold Cock was displayed as symbol for amnesty. [167]
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