Classic Poem

When wild disorder gripped the Western Capital,
Tigers and wolves added to our despair.
So I turned about and fled the Middle Kingdom,
To far off Jing, among the Man tribes there.
My relatives stood facing me in sorrow,
My friends came with me, tried to hold me back
Beyond the city-gates there was nothing to see
But white bones strewn across the level plain
Upon the road I met a starving woman,
Who had left her suckling child to die in the grass.
She turned her head to listen to its crying,
But brushed away her tears and would not return.
" Since I do not know the place where death will take me,
How can I manage to care for my child as well? "
I spurred my horse and left her far behind,
For I could not bear to hear the words she spoke
As I journeyed south, I climbed up Baling tomb,
Then I turned my head and gazed toward Chang'an
Now I understand the Song of the Falling Spring!
The sighs I heave are enough to break my heart.