Seven-character-ancient-verse
Yuan Jie
A DRINKING SONG AT STONE-FISH LAKE
I have used grain from the public fields, for distilling wine. After my office hours I have the wine
loaded on a boat and then I seat my friends on the bank of the lake. The little wine-boats come to
each of us and supply us with wine. We seem to be drinking on Pa Islet in Lake Dongting. And I
write this poem.
Stone-Fish Lake is like Lake Dongting --
When the top of Zun is green and the summer tide is rising.
...With the mountain for a table, and the lake a fount of wine,
The tipplers all are settled along the sandy shore.
Though a stiff wind for days has roughened the water,
Wine-boats constantly arrive....
I have a long-necked gourd and, happy on Ba Island,
I am pouring a drink in every direction doing away with care.
