Anon. (1st. cent. BC)

THE EASTERN GATE

Anon. (first century B.C.).
A poor man determines to go out into the world and make his fortune. His wife tries to detain him.

 

I went out at the eastern gate:I never thought to return.But I came back to the gate with my heart full of sorrow.

---

There was not a peck of rice in the bin:There was not a coat hanging on the pegs.So I took my sword and went towards the gate.My wife and child clutched at my coat and wept:“Some people want to be rich and grand:I only want to share my porridge with you.Above, we have the blue waves of the sky:Below, the yellow face of this little child.”“Dear wife, I cannot stay.Soon it will be too late.When one is growing oldOne cannot put things off.”