No More Learning

If High Heaven had no love for wine, (3)
There would not be a Wine Star in the sky.
If Earth herself had no love for wine,
There would not be a city called Wine Springs. [48]
Since Heaven and Earth both love wine,
I can love wine, without shame before God.
Clear wine was once called "a Saint;"
Thick wine was once called "a Sage. "[49]
Of Saint and Sage I have long quaffed deep,
What need for me to study spirits and _hsien_? [50]
At the third cup I penetrate the Great Way;
A full gallon--Nature and I are one. . . .
But the things I feel when wine possesses my soul
I will never tell to those who are not drunk.

[48] Chiu-ch'uan, in Kansuh.

[49] "History of Wei Dynasty" (Life of Hsu Mo): "A drunken visitor
said, 'Clear wine I account a Saint: thick wine only a Sage. '"

[50] Rishi, Immortals.


XXIII. 9.
IN THE MOUNTAINS ON A SUMMER DAY

Gently I stir a white feather fan,
With open shirt, sitting in a green wood.
I take off my cap and hang it on a jutting stone:
A wind from the pine-trees trickles on my bare head.


XXIII. 10. DRINKING TOGETHER IN THE MOUNTAINS[51]

[51] _Cf. _ _Little Review_, June, 1917, version by Sasaki and M.
Bodenheim.

Two men drinking together where mountain flowers grow:
One cup, one cup, and again one cup.
"Now I am drunk and would like to sleep: so please go away.
Come back to-morrow, if you feel inclined, and bring your harp
with you. "


XXIII. 10. WAKING FROM DRUNKENNESS ON A SPRING DAY

"Life in the World is but a big dream:
I will not spoil it by any labour or care. "
So saying, I was drunk all the day,
Lying helpless at the porch in front of my door.
When I woke up, I blinked at the garden lawn;
A lonely bird was singing amid the flowers.
I asked myself, had the day been wet or fine?