A sumptuous festival fills the inn with gaiety;
Passenger boats are lured thither by lights and music.
Below the windows prattle the waters of Pien River,
And the boats of the men of Ch'u sail slowly
past the door.
Chickens and dogs clutter the village lanes;
On the distant fields elm and mulberry shadows cast
long patterns.
The master of Thousand Pagodas has not yet made
his appearance,
But smoky clouds of steam mattress his house—like
bedding!