There came an officer knocking by night at my door <br />In a loud voice demanding grain-tribute. <br />My house-servants dared not wait till the morning, <br />But brought candles and set them on the barn-floor. <br />Passed through the sieve, clean-washed as pearls, <br />A whole cart-load, thirty bushels of grain. <br />But still they cry that it is not paid in full: <br />With whips and curses they goad my servants and boys. <br />Once, in error, I entered public life; <br />I am inwardly ashamed that my talents were not sufficient. <br />In succession I occupied four official posts; <br />For doing nothing—ten years’ salary! <br />Often have I heard that saying of ancient men <br />That “good and ill follow in an endless chain.” <br />And to-day it ought to set my heart at rest <br />To return to others the corn in my great barn.<br /><br />Bai Juyi<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-grain-tribute-2/
