[56] TO A TALKATIVE GUEST
[a.d. 836]
The town visitor’s easy talk flows in an endless stream;
The country host’s quiet thoughts ramble timidly on.
“I beg you, Sir, do not tell me about things at Ch‘ang-an;
For you entered just when my harp was tuned and lying balanced on my knees.”
[57] TO LIU YU-HSI
[a.d. 838]
In length of days and soundness of limb you and I are one;
Our eyes are not wholly blind, nor our ears quite deaf.
Deep drinking we lie together, fellows of a spring day;
Or gay-hearted boldly break into gatherings of young men.
When, seeking flowers, we borrowed his horse, the river-keeper was vexed;
When, to play on the water, we stole his boat, the Duke Ling was sore.
I hear it said that in Lo-yang, people are all shocked,
And call us by the name of “Liu and Po, those two mad old men.”