An Outing on Hsieh Brook

With this one, fifty years have slipped away.

My life proceeds apace to its final rest.

This is the thought that moves my heart within,

Today's occasion should not be missed.

The air is mild, the sky perfectly clear,

As we sit together by the far-fowing stream.

Striped mullet race through weak rapids,

Crying gulls soar over the quiet valley.

The wandering gaze across distant waters

Descries Tiered Wall Hill, far away.

It may fall short of' Ninefold Peak's perfection,

Still nothing else in sight can equal it.

I offer my companions wine from the fask,

Filled to the brim, each cup in turn is emptied.

There is no knowing whether after today

It will ever be like this again.

The wine half gone, we let our fancy roam

Forgetting these thousand-year cares.

Let us make the most of today's pleasure

We need not worry now about tomorrow.