Farewell
Ou-yang, Xiu (1007 A.D.-1072 A.D.)
The plum blossoms near the watchtower wither. The willow trees by the bridge
are thin. The fragrance of the grass and the warmth of the wind shake the reins
to mark the beginning of a long journey 1. The further the horse
goes, the closer to infinity her sorrow from separation becomes. Her heart
travels with the rider farther and farther like Spring water flowing away.
Because her heart is breaking and her tears are mingling with rouge, she should
stop leaning against the banister of the tall tower to watch below. At the end
of the flat meadow is a Spring mountain. The traveler has passed beyond the
mountain.
1
This sentence says, "The grass is fragrant; the wind is warm. However, the reins
start to shake for a long journey."