The Pressgang At Stone Moat Village

The Pressgang At Stone Moat Village

I seek for shelter as night falls;
A pressgang comes and presses for more.
My poor old host climbs o'er the walls;
My hostess old answers the door.
How angry is the sergeant's shout!
How pitiful the woman's plight!
I hear what she tries to speak out:
"All my three sons have gone to fight,
And one of them sent word to me;
The other two in battle slain,
He'll keep alive if he can be;
The dead can't come to life again.
Within the house no man is left
Except my grandson at the breast;
His mother now of all bereft
Cann't come out, in tatters drest.
Though I'm a woman weak and old,
I beg to follow on your heels
That I may serve at the stronghold
And cook for you the morning meals."
With night her voices fade away;
I seem to hear still sob and sigh.
At dawn I go upon my way
And only bid my host good-bye.

石壕吏

暮投石壕村
有吏夜捉人
老翁逾墙走
老妇出门看
吏呼一何怒
妇啼一何苦
听妇前致词
三男邺城戍
一男附书至
二男新战死
存者且偷生
死者长已矣
室中更无人
惟有乳下孙
孙有母未去
出入无完裙
老妪力虽衰
请从吏夜归
急应河阳役
犹得备晨炊
夜久语声绝
如闻泣幽咽
天明登前途
独与老翁别