This is my most recent translation. It is a poem by the great late Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi which has recently been selected as #7 of the 10 most popular Tang dynasty poems in Hong Kong and is the only "octet" in the list. Here we go:-
Bai Juyi (772-846): Grass of the Ancient Prairie Bidding Farewell: Written to a Prescribed Title
1 Lushly, O lushly, you grass of the prairie thrive;
2 (You demise to arise, each year, gloriously so!)
You die to arise, O each year, gloriously so! (revised 14.11.17)
3 Wild fires do burn: they blaze in vain to purge you;
4 As spring winds blow: come alive, again you grow.
5 Your sweet scent spreads far, suffusing the old highway;
6 Your green blades, sun bathed, to the citadel ruins go.
7 Once more, I’m seeing my noble friend away --
8 Cheers, O cheerio! Our parting feelings o’erflow.
Translated by Andrew W.F. Wong (Huang Hongfa) 譯者: 黃宏發