Ancient Army Life (Li Qi: Ancient Army Life)

Climbing the mountain by day to watch the beacon fires,

At dusk I lead my horse to drink at the Jiao River.

Through windblown sand the marching clappers sound faint and dim,

And the pipa of the princess is filled with a hidden grief.

Wild clouds stretch for miles on end, no city wall in sight,

While rain and snow swirl down, covering the vast desert.

The wild geese from the northern lands cry out night after night,

And the tears of the northern men fall drop after drop.

I hear the Jade Gate Pass is still blocked by the court's decree;

I must risk my life to follow the light chariot general into battle.

Year after year, the dead soldiers' bones are buried in the wilds,

Only to have grapes brought as tribute to the Han palace.