游子吟 (唐)孟郊(751-814)

慈母手中線     遊子身上衣
臨行密密縫     意恐遲遲歸
誰言寸草心     報得三春暉 

A Roamer Sings         Meng Jiao(751-814)            江紹倫譯

Needle and thread in mother’s hand
Preparing clothes for a son going to far away land
Sewing stitches quicken as parting draws near
His return may be in delay mother fears
Who says a son’s casual affection
Is adequate in return for Mum’s undivided devotion