The Rainy Day

                  雨天

Sullen clouds are gathering fast over the

black fringe of the forest.

O child,do not go out!

The palm trees in a row by the lake are

smiting their heads against the dismal

sky; the crows with their draggled wings

are silent on the tamarind branches,and

the eastern bank of the river is haunted

by a deepening gloom.

Our cow is lowing loud,tied at the

fence.

O child,wait here tillI bring her into

the stall.

Men have crowded into the flooded

field to catch the fishes as they escape

from the overflowing ponds; the rain

water is running in rills through the

arrow lanes like a laughing boy who

has run away from his mother to tease

her.

Listen,someone is shouting for the

boatman at the ford.

O child,the daylight is dim,and the

crossing at the ferry is closed.

The sky seems to ride fast upon the

madly-rushing rain; the water in the

river is loud and impatient; women have

hastened home early from the Ganges

with their filled pitchers.

The evening lamps must be made ready.

O child,do not go out!

The road to the market is desolate,the

lane to the river is sippery . The wind

is roaring and sruggling among the

bamboo branches like a wild beast

tangled in a net.