Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CHANCELLOR'S GRAVEL-DRIVE, by PO CHU-YI



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CHANCELLOR'S GRAVEL-DRIVE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A government-bull yoked to a government-cart!
Last Line: Need not trouble him at all.
Alternate Author Name(s): Bai Juyi; Bo Juyi; Po Chu-i; Lo T'ien; Jyu-yi
Subject(s): China - Tang Dynasty (618-905); Government; Roads; Paths; Trails


A Government-bull yoked to a Government-cart!
Moored by the bank of Ch'an River, a barge loaded with gravel.
A single load of gravel,
How many pounds it weighs!
Carrying at dawn, carrying at dusk, what is it all for?
They are carrying it towards the Five Gates,
To the West of the Main Road.
Under the shadow of green laurels they are making a gravel-drive.
For yesterday arrove, newly appointed,
The Assistant Chancellor of the Realm,
And was terribly afraid that the wet and mud
Would dirty his horse's hoofs.
The Chancellor's horses hoofs
Stepped on the gravel and remained perfectly clean;
But the bull employed in dragging the cart
Was almost sweating blood.
The Assistant Chancellor's business
Is to "save men, govern the country
And harmonize Yin and Yang."
Whether the bull's neck is sore
Need not trouble him at all.





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