Hoàng-Ân
BY THE RIVER BANK
the river gushing by
oozing in silt, rich and fertile
it curves along the banks
and etches its hope at the horizon;
bubbling against the land's embrace,
its coolness bathes my ankles.
His left arm around me
his head rests upon my right shoulder
the wind caressing our bodies,
a sudden hawk speared the water.
A lazy june afternoon, the sun drunkedned and eerie
reduces all puzzling issues of history being made
to a dazed half-asleep state-of-mind and
intelligence is a dreary subject
able to lure no one in its wake.
WILLIAM THOMPSON (1712-1766)
THE HAPPY LIFE
A book, a friend, a song, a glass,
A chaste, yet laughter-loving lass,
To mortals various joys impart,
Inform the sense, and warm the heart.
Thrice happy they, who careless laid
Beneath a kind-embowering shade,
With rosy wreaths their temples crown,
In rosy wine their sorrow drown.
Begone, ambition, riches, toys,
And splendid cares, and guilty joys--
Give me a book, a friend, a glass,
And a chaste, laughter-loving lass.
