A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems Part 28

LAO-TZU

"Those who speak know nothing; Those who know are silent."

These words, as I am told, Were spoken by Lao-tzu.

If we are to believe that Lao-tzu Was himself _one who knew_, How comes it that he wrote a book Of five thousand words?

CHUANG-TZU, THE MONIST

Chuang-tzu levels all things And reduces them to the same Monad.

But _I_ say that even in their sameness Difference may be found.

Although in following the promptings of their nature They display the same tendency, Yet it seems to me that in some ways A phnix is superior to a reptile!

TAOISM AND BUDDHISM

Written shortly before his death

A traveller came from across the seas Telling of strange sights.

"In a deep fold of the sea-hills I saw a terrace and tower.

In the midst there stood a Fairy Temple With one niche empty.

They all told me this was waiting For Lo-t'ien to come."

Traveller, I have studied the Empty Gate;[97]

I am no disciple of Fairies The story you have just told Is nothing but an idle tale.

The hills of ocean shall never be Lo-t'ien's home.

When I leave the earth it will be to go To the Heaven of Bliss Fulfilled.[98]

[97] Buddhism. The poem is quite frivolous, as is shown by his claim to Bodhisattva-hood.

[98] The "tus.h.i.ta" Heaven, where Bodhisattvas wait till it is time for them to appear on earth as Buddhas.

LAST POEM

They have put my bed beside the unpainted screen; They have shifted my stove in front of the blue curtain.

I listen to my grandchildren, reading me a book; I watch the servants, heating up my soup.

With rapid pencil I answer the poems of friends; I feel in my pockets and pull out medicine-money.

When this superintendence of trifling affairs is done, I lie back on my pillows and sleep with my face to the South.

THE END