直中書省 白居易

直中書省     白居易(772-846)        

絲綸閣下文章靜，鐘鼓樓中刻漏長。  

獨坐黃昏誰是伴，紫薇花對紫薇郎。

On Duty in the Chancellery      Bai Juyi (772-846)

There is not much writing to do at the Imperial Edict Court,

From the drum tower I listen to the ticks of the water clock,
Who to keep me company as I sit in solitude under the night cloak,
What other than the myrtle blossoms vis-à-vis this myrtle official on call.