On my day off I climbed into the clouds
morning rain cleared for an unobstructed view
I finally beheld the greatness of Suchou
ten li of flourishing green
the bright beauty of rivers and hills
a great plain swallowed by the greatest of lakes
the layered confluence of land and water
a place where the four quarters meet
a panoply of customs and happy festivals
abundant rain and plentiful crops
where fish and fowl swim and soar
and plants and trees all smell sweet
from here I can see the farmers
working in fields and mulberry groves
although I've cleary disgraced my command
I only regret the road home is so long