「寄隐者」白居易

卖药向都城，行憩青门树。道逢驰驿者，色有非常惧。

亲族走相送，欲别不敢住。私怪问道旁，何人复何故。

云是右丞相，当国握枢务。禄厚食万钱，恩深日三顾。

昨日延英对，今日崖州去。由来君臣间，宠辱在朝暮。

青青东郊草，中有归山路。归去卧云人，谋身计非误。

THE POLITICIAN 

I WAS going to the City to sell the herbs I had plucked ; 

On the way I rested by some trees at the Blue Gate. 

Along the road there came a horseman riding, 

Whose face was pale with a strange look of dread. 

Friends and relations, waiting to say good-bye, 

Pressed at his side, but he did not dare to pause. 

I, in wonder, asked the people about me 

Who he was and what had happened to him. 

They told me this was a Privy Councillor 

Whose grave duties were like the pivot of State. 

His food allowance was ten thousand cash; 

Three times a day the Emperor came to his house. 

Yesterday he was called to a meeting of Heroes: 

To-day he is banished to the country of Yai-chou. 

So always, the Counsellors of Kings ; 

Favour and ruin changed between dawn and dusk ! 

Green, green, — the grass of the Eastern Suburb; 

And amid the grass, a road that leads to the hills. 

Resting in peace among the white clouds, 

At last he has made a " coup " that cannot fail!