Lines written as I passed through Ch'ü-0

When young I kept aloof from the world's affairs

And found my comfort in books and cither,

Happily content with homespun clothes,

Always satisfied though often empty.

Something quite by chance and unforeseen

Made me pull the reins and stop in the road.

I dropped my staffand had my luggage packed

And for a time took lcave of fields and garden.

Far, far away the lonely boat departs,

Enduring thoughts of home still bind me fast.

Is this journey not a distant one

By land and water over a thousand miles?

My eyes are weary with strange roads and rivers

My heart yearns to stay in hills and lakes.

I look at the clouds and envy the high fying birds

Beside the stream I am shamed by the free swimming fish.

My breast has always held this vision oftruth

Let no one say I have been bound by externals.

I shall just give myselfto the course ofthings

And return in the end to the hut of Master Pan.