PoetrySelected 4 Oct 2026
On the Banks of Jo-yeh
On the Banks of Jo-yeh, by Li Po. Translated by L. Cranmer-Byng.
Chinese · English
Li Po1909 translation
They gather lilies down the stream,A net of willows drooping lowHides boat from boat; and to and froSweet whispered confidences seem 'Mid laughing trills to flow. In the green deeps a shaft of goldLimns their elaborate attire;Through silken sleeves the winds aspire,Embalmed, to stray, and, growing bold, Swell them to their desire. But who are these, the cavaliersThat gleam along the river-side?By three, by five they prance with prideBeyond the willow-line that sheers Over the trellised tide. A charger neighs; one turns to start,Crushing the kingcups as he flies,And one pale maiden vainly triesTo hush the tumult in her heart And veil the secret of her eyes.
The work and its creator
Explore the original at Project Gutenberg ↗
Creator: Li Po
Nationality / cultural background: Chinese
Work / edition: 1909 translation
Translation: L. Cranmer-Byng · English
Historical public-domain text. Selected passage; line-end whitespace normalised. No generated quotation.
In the source: On the Banks of Jo-yeh
Selected for the Brief on 4 Oct 2026. This date records our selection, rather than when the work was created.
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