IN SORROW FOR THE LOST PRINCE
A crow with a white head came,
They say, from the city wall and
Warned those in the great places
By pecking on the tiled roofs;
And the court, seeing it as a sign,
Fled, beaking their golden whips,
Killing nine of their best horses
In their mad flight; so was the
Imperial family separated;
Now, out on a country road, a youth
Of that family halts me; his
Valuables are hidden in his rags,
He sobs bitterly, refusing to give
His name; asking to be taken as a
Slave, because for over three months
Has he been hiding out in the
Waste lands, so that now his skin
Is badly torn and broken; yet still
The prominent nose of the imperial
House marks him as being different
From local lads;
Swiftly did I say to him,
“Now that
Wild beasts in the shape of men
Have occupied Changan,
Care for your own safety,
I cannot talk with you for long
In so public a place, but you must know
There has come defeat; the east wind stank
With blood,
Rebel camel trains from
The west
Have come to the capital,
Our once fine troops were
Beaten, why has their bravery
Changed to cowardice;
The emperor has abdicated
In favour of the prince who has
Brought in allies from Turkestan, and
These have tattooed their faces to say
They will restore the country;
Be ever vigilant of spies;
The spirits of your ancestors
Are with you, while there
Is life there is hope.”
(Copy of poetry from feng chih)
