A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems/The Hat given to the Poet by Li Chien

by Arthur Waley

THE HAT GIVEN TO THE POET BY LI CHIEN

Long ago a white-haired gentleman
You made the present of a black gauze hat.
The gauze hat still sits on my head;
But you already are gone to the Nether Springs.
The thing is old, but still fit to wear;
The man is gone and will never be seen again.
Out on the hill the moon is shining to-night
And the trees on your tomb are swayed by the autumn wind.