) x' Y; M9 o: U- I& N- P* l8 O( w+ LNorth country scene:9 k: `- z0 k9 j" ]3 H3 O% W
A hundred leagues locked in ice, Y- y+ ]/ }8 [& ]8 F: P
A thousand leagues of whirling snow.
- d+ r, Y/ T0 _ R+ [8 GBoth side of the Great Wall
# x" }, |3 C5 A) z% E( U& KOne single white immensity.. f4 W! C2 p. F1 \2 N# f- j
The Yellow River's swift current& A2 I6 S: Y2 W! b6 k6 ~6 e6 r
Is stilled from end to end.
6 M; D* Q% |' `# w) H9 O/ `The mountains dance silver snakes
( W& M4 t% M( z3 M; W4 RAnd the highland charge like wax-hued elephants.
) Q2 a* E1 G3 @; ~Vying with heaven in stature.
9 j, v/ s+ a4 D% r: f# _On a fine day, the land,( p! t& X& B9 V
Clad in white, adorned in red,: v: A: }, q% K( E; P3 i
Crows more enchanting.
, j. [ T+ d" h) kThis land so rich in beauty
2 e: f6 W# s6 Z' {2 b' a4 CHas made countless heroes bow in homage.
0 q% e- {( B+ PBut alas! Qin Shihuang and Han Wudi
' V6 i! R, k9 ?9 G2 U; lWere lacking in literary grace,! T$ O" Y; a7 U8 e7 I7 m' J
And Tang Taizong and Song Taizu
( @6 f- P x, y7 ZHad little poetry in their souls;) N+ x7 _3 W9 \9 ]
That proud son of Heaven,. [/ e- ?# }. V- R. t
Genghis Khan,% @# \1 ^4 }3 B, B8 x8 P0 j* d
Knew only shooting eagles, bow outstretched.) a6 l( X) N, ]; T9 b6 c: F
All are past and gone!8 q# s# w: o5 ~/ I
For truly great men
8 G& b6 _3 k7 X! k( m$ l/ JLook to this age alone.
1 p# D9 ] m# s" k+ r |