Li Po Addresses Meng Hao-Jan

Li Po Addresses Meng Hao-Jan

In ruddy youth you put aside 
    The gauds men set their dreams upon, 
And let who would aspire to ride 
    In high official cars, or don 
    Official head-dress ; quite foregone, 
With you, was all such vain desire; 
You set your hope and heart to aspire 
    To a loftier and a lovelier blue: 
Wherefore my soul can never tire, 
    O Mountain-Man, of honouring you! 

You took the peaks to be your guide, 
    And mountain waters far and wan; 
The moon, and midnight, starry-eyed; 
    Trees, and the autumn hues thereon. 
    You put the mountains’ beauty on, 
And made yourself as free as they 
From all that hides the Ancient Way 
    The seers of old, and sages, knew: 
Wherefore, Meng Hao-Jan, night and day 
    My soul delights to honour you ! 

And now your hair is white, betide 
    What may, or hap what will, you con 
The stars’ script still; nor pomp nor pride 
    Of courts can lure or move you; none 
    Of us that wander here and yon 
Can tell what secret splendour glows 
For you in every flower that blows 
    Among your hills, or what the dew 
And moonlight teach you; and none knows, 
    Meng Hao-Jan, how I honour you! 

The lofty mountain is descried 
From all the plain: he cannot hide 
    His grandeur from the common view. 
So shines your influence far and wide, 
    Meng Hao-Jan! All men honour you!

The Dublin Magazine, July-September 1933