More Translations from the Chinese/Getting Up Early on a Spring Morning

by Bai Juyi

[48] GETTING UP EARLY ON A SPRING MORNING

[Part of a poem written when Governor of Soochow in 825]

The early light of the rising sun shines on the beams of my house;
The first banging of opened doors echoes like the roll of a drum.
The dog lies curled on the stone step, for the earth is wet with dew;
The birds come near to the window and chatter, telling that the day is fine.
With the lingering fumes of yesterday's wine my head is still heavy;
With new doffing of winter clothes my body has grown light.