Army Life Li Qi We climb the hill by day to watch for beacon fires And water horses by riverside when day expires.

We strike the gong in sand-darkened land where wind blows And hear the pipa tell the princess' secret woe.

There is no town for miles and miles but tents in rows; Beyond the desert there's nothing but rain and snow.

The wild gesse honk from night to night, that's all we hear; We see but Tartar soldiers shedding tear on tear.

'Tis said we cannot go back through the Jade Gate Pass; We'd risk our lives to follow war-chariots, alas!

The dead are buried in the desert year by year, Only to bring back grapes from over the frontier.