Chinese and Arabian Literature - E. Wilson - The Search For Mecca

BOOK III
THE ODES OF FEI
An Officer Bewails the Neglect with which He is Treated
It floats about, that boat of cypress wood.
Now here, now there, as by the current borne.
Nor rest nor sleep comes in my troubled mood
I suffer as when painful wound has torn
The shrinking body. Thus I dwell forlorn,
And aimless muse, my thoughts of sorrow full.
I might with wine refresh my spirit worn
I might go forth, and, sauntering try to cool
The fever of my heart ; but grief holds sullen rule.
; ;
My mind resembles not a mirror plate,
Reflecting all the impressions it receives.
The good I love, the bad regard with hate;
I only cherish whom my heart believes.
Colleagues I have, but yet my spirit grieves,
That on their honor I cannot depend.
I speak, but my complaint no influence leaves
Upon their hearts ; with mine no feelings blend
With me in anger they, and fierce disdain contend.
My mind is fixed, and cannot, like a stone,
Be turned at will indifferently about
And what I think, to that, and that alone,
I utterance give, alike within, without
Nor can like mat be rolled and carried out.
With dignity in presence of them all.
My conduct marked, my goodness who shall
My foes I boldly challenge, great and small.
scout?
If there be aught in me they can in question call.
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