From the mouth of the Qutang Gorge
to the banks of Meandering River
it's the same autumn season
ten thousand miles of wind and mist
the imperial procession used to come
from the Flower Tower, along the passage
to wait in Hibiscus Park
for bad news from the front
pearl screens and painted columns
and yellow cranes circling the palace
ivory masts and silken tackle
and white gulls rising up
all the songs and dances－
look back at them in pity!
in that ancient land
that has served emperors and kings.