「金銮子晬日」白居易

行年欲四十，有女曰金銮。生来始周岁，学坐未能言。

惭非达者怀，未免俗情怜。从此累身外，徒云慰目前。

若无夭折患，则有婚嫁牵。使我归山计，应迟十五年。

GOLDEN BELLS 

When I was almost forty 

I had a daughter whose name was Golden Bells. 

Now it is just a year since she was born ; 

She is learning to sit and cannot yet talk. 

Ashamed, — to find that I have not a sage's heart: 

I cannot resist vulgar thoughts and feelings. 

Henceforward I am tied to things outside myself: 

My only reward, — the pleasure I am getting now. 

If I am spared the grief of her dying young, 

Then I shall have the trouble of getting her married. 

My plan for retiring and going back to the hills 

Must now be postponed for fifteen years !