Wang Chien. The South

*
"More Translations from the Chinese", by Arthur Waley, [1919],

p. 148

[67] The South

In the southern land many birds sing;

Of towns and cities half are unwalled.

The country markets are thronged by wild tribes;

The mountain-villages bear river-names.

Poisonous mists rise from the damp sands;

Strange fires gleam through the night-rain.

And none passes but the lonely fisher of pearls

Year by year on his way to the South Sea.