Xin Qiji (May 28, 1140 – 1207) was a Chinese poet, military leader and statesman during the Southern Song dynasty.
IN DAYS WHEN I WAS YOUNG
Xin Qiji
In days when I was young and didn’t know the taste of sorrow
I like to climb the storied tower,
I like to climb the storied tower;
To write the latest odes I forced myself to tell of sorrow.
Now that I understand the taste of sorrow altogether
I would like to tell, but stop,
I would like to tell, but stop;
Instead I say, ‘What a cool day! Such lovely autumn weather!’
When young, I knew not the taste of sorrow,
But loved to mount the high towers;
I loved to mount the height towers
To compose a new song, urging myself to talk about sorrow.
Now that I have known all the taste of sorrow,
I would like to talk about it, but refrain;
I would like to talk about it, but refrain,
And say merely: ‘It is chilly; what a fine autumn!’