Tz'u No. 1

To the tune "Courtyard Filled with Fragrance" Fragrant grass beside the pond green shade over the hall a clear cold comes through the window curtains crescent moon beyond the golden bars and a flute sounds as if someone were coming but alone on my mat with a cup gazing sadly into nothingness I want to call back the blackberry flowers that have fallen though pear blossoms remain for in that distant year I came to love their fresh fragrance scenting my sleeve as we culled petals over the fire when as far as the eye could see were dragon boats on the river graceful horses and gay carts when I did not fear the mad winds and violent rain as we drank to good fortune with warm blackberry wine now I cannot conceive how to retrieve that time.