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Let us gather the thorn-ferns, let us gather the thorn-ferns; |
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The thorn-ferns are now springing up. |
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When shall we return? When shall we return? |
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It will be late in the [next] year. |
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Wife and husband will be separated, |
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Because of the Xian-yun. |
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We shall have no leisure to rest, |
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Because of the Xian-yun. |
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Let us gather the thorn-ferns, let us gather the thorn-ferns; |
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The thorn-ferns are now tender. |
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When shall we return? When shall we return? |
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Our hearts are sorrowful; |
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Our hearts are sad and sorrowful; |
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We shall hunger, we shall thirst. |
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While our service on guard is not finished, |
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We can send no one home to enquire about our families. |
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Let us gather the thorn-ferns, let us gather the thorn-ferns; |
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The thorn-ferns are now hard. |
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When shall we return? When shall we return? |
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The year will be in the tenth month. |
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But the king's business must not be slackly performed; |
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We shall have no leisure to rest. |
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Our sorrowing hearts are in great distress; |
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But we shall not return from our expedition. |
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What is that so gorgeous? |
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It is the flowers of the cherry tree. |
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What carriage is that? |
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It is the carriage of our general. |
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His war carriage is yoked; |
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The four steeds are strong. |
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Dare we remain inactive? |
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In one month we shall have three victories. |
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The four steeds are yoked, |
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The four steeds, eager and strong; -- |
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The confidence of the general, |
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The protection of the men. |
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The four steeds move regularly, like wings; -- |
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There are the bow with its ivory ends, and the seal-skin quiver. |
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Shall we not daily warn one another? |
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The business of the Xian-yun is very urgent. |
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At first, when we set out, |
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The willows were fresh and green; |
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Now, when we shall be returning, |
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The snow will be falling in clouds. |
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Long and tedious will be our marching; |
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We shall hunger; we shall thirst. |
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Our hearts are wounded with grief, |
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And no one knows our sadness. |