Buying and Selling

Throughout the day I sit behind the counter of my shop

And the odours of my country are all about me —

Areca nut, and betel leaf, and manioc,

Lychee and suey sen,

Li-un and dried seaweed,

Tchah and sam-shu;

And these carry my mind to half-forgotten days

When tales were plentiful and care was hard to hold.

All day I sell for trifling sums the wares of my own land,

And buy for many cash such things as people wish to sell,

That I may sell them again to others,

With some profit to myself.

One night a white-skinned damsel came to me

And offered, with fair words, something she wished to sell.

Now if I desire a jacket I can buy it with coin,

Or barter for it something of my stock.

If I desire rice-spirit, that, too, I can buy;

And elegant entertainments and delights are all to be had for cash.

But there is one good thing above all precious,

That no man may buy.

And though I buy readily most things that I desire,

This thing that the white maid offered at my own price

I would not buy.