ARMY LIFE
LI QI
 

We climb the hill by day to watch for beacon¹ fires

And water horses by riverside when day expires.

We strike the gong in sand-darkened land where wind blows

And hear the pipa tell the princess' secret woe².

There is no town for miles and miles but tents in rows;

Beyond the desert there's nothing but rain and snow.

The wild geese honk³ from night to night, that's all we hear;

We see but Tartar soldiers shedding tear on tear.

'Tis said we cannot go back through the Jade⁴ Gate Pass;

We'd risk our lives to follow war-chariots, alas⁵!

The dead are buried in the desert year by year,

Only to bring back grapes from over the frontier.

古从军行
李颀
 
白日登山望烽火，黄昏饮马傍交河。
行人刁斗风沙暗，公主琵琶幽怨多。
野营万里无城郭，雨雪纷纷连大漠。
胡雁哀鸣夜夜飞，胡儿眼泪双双落。
闻道玉门犹被遮，应将性命逐轻车。
年年战骨埋荒外，空见葡萄入汉家。

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