(109) On My Wife's Birthday
内人生日
Wu Jia-ji (1618-1684)
吴嘉纪
For twenty years in thatched cot we've lived poor life;
潦倒丘园二十秋，
To cook my meal and ease my grief I have my wife.
亲炊葵藿慰余愁。
She has no time to make up before mirror bright;
绝无暇日临青镜，
We've often passed hard times until our hair grows white.
频过凶年到白头。
Only swallows perch on our dreary seaside beam;
海气荒凉门有燕，
Our cottage trembles like a boat on rippling strea.
溪光摇荡屋如舟。
I cannot buy wine to celebrate her birthday;
不能沽酒持相祝，
I still come to consult with her on what she'll say.
依旧归来向尔谋、