A TRIP TO HUA KANG 



a h m *s m 



From the Chinese of Li Ta-shao 



W. J. B. FLETCHER 



Floats rolling in light waves just crisping in green 



Our love-laden barge through the riverside scene. 



With New Year's late wassail inspirited we 



Set out on a journey both boundless and free, 



Our footsteps, see ! enter Egeria's cave — 



Yet this not the country where Helen should be — 



At joys, of the fishers with rapture we rave, 



Whom skimming the river like sea-gulls we see. 



In gardens of paradise take we our fill; 



And circling the stove the rich wassail bowl share. 



The breath of Love 's Spring seems to wander here still 



The twilight of sunset is sending me — where ? 



Our vessel seems bowered in Cupid's slim darts. 



In beds of fresh flowers, oh ! how madly we roll ! 



At its common clay blushing the peony starts 



To feel how much sweeter the white jasmine's soul! 



