Xin Qiji (1140-1207) trans. Eileen Cheng-yin Chow

In youth I knew nothing of the taste of sorrow
I liked to climb high towers,
I liked to climb high towers
To conjure up a bit of sorrow to make new verse.

Now I know only too well the taste of sorrow.
I begin to speak yet pause,
I begin to speak yet pause
And say instead, "My, what a cool and lovely autumn."