A Farewell Ode
by: Du Fu (712-770)
translated by W. J. B. Fletcher
The world is full of battle.
Why wilt thou ride away?
Thy friends all weeping round thee
Because thou wilt not stay.
And yet your horse you saddle
For yon lone city gray.
The leaves are falling, falling;
The year is waxing old.
The mountains and the rivers
The frosty snows enfold.
That parting but of yesterday
Taught how they felt of old!
