Nothing Fair Can Stay

In the east of Luoyang the peach and plum blossoms fly, No one knows whose house they’ll fall onto from the sky. A young Luoyang girl who loves the blooming date, Looks at them scattering around and bewails their fate. This year I watch them fade away right here, But wonder who’ll see them bloom next year. I’ve seen pine and cypress being cut for firewood, And turn into an ocean the mulberry fields would. No ancients are here to lament the withered flowers, But we are sorry for falling blossoms the wind devours . The fair flowers there bloom year in and year out, But people who see them are different with no doubt. Young ladies should pity the old man who is half dead, Since he was once a handsome young man instead. Having great fun with his close friends under fragrant tree, Singing and dancing among the falling flowers he’s carefree. Ma Fang used to decorate his luxury pool with brocade, And on the pavilions Liang Ji had immortals portrayed. Now the old man is sick in bed and ignored, Where are songs and dance he explored? How can the youth and beauty of a fair stay? Soon or late, her black hair will turn grey. Behold, over the once singing and dancing place, At twilight only birds are cooing with mournful trace. (tran.)