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Let us gather the thorn-ferns , let us gather the thorn-ferns ;
The thorn-ferns are now springing up .
When shall we return ? When shall we return ?
It will be late in the [next] year .
Wife and husband will be separated ,
Because of the Xian-yun .
We shall have no leisure to rest ,
Because of the Xian-yun .

Let us gather the thorn-ferns , let us gather the thorn-ferns ;
The thorn-ferns are now tender .
When shall we return ? When shall we return ?
Our hearts are sorrowful ;
Our hearts are sad and sorrowful ;
We shall hunger , we shall thirst .
While our service on guard is not finished ,
We can send no one home to enquire about our families .

Let us gather the thorn-ferns , let us gather the thorn-ferns ;
The thorn-ferns are now hard .
When shall we return ? When shall we return ?
The year will be in the tenth month .
But the king's business must not be slackly performed ;
We shall have no leisure to rest .
Our sorrowing hearts are in great distress ;
But we shall not return from our expedition .

What is that so gorgeous ?
It is the flowers of the cherry tree .
What carriage is that ?
It is the carriage of our general .
His war carriage is yoked ;
The four steeds are strong .
Dare we remain inactive ?
In one month we shall have three victories .

The four steeds are yoked ,
The four steeds , eager and strong ;—
The confidence of the general ,
The protection of the men .
The four steeds move regularly , like wings ;—
There are the bow with its ivory ends , and the seal-skin quiver .
Shall we not daily warn one another ?
The business of the Xian-yun is very urgent .

At first , when we set out ,
The willows were fresh and green ;
Now , when we shall be returning ,
The snow will be falling in clouds .
Long and tedious will be our marching ;
We shall hunger ; we shall thirst .
Our hearts are wounded with grief ,
And no one knows our sadness .