You were a pearl br In the palm of my hand, br My tiny baby boy. br br Why is it that I, br A white-haired man of three-score years, br Am left behind, br And you, a child of three, br Must by Heaven's silent, stern decree, br Precede me br To that strange and far-off land br Of death? br br My heart is wounded sorely, br But not with a blade of steel; br My old eyes are dimmed and dull, br But not with the dust of earth. br br These arms br That held you closely to my breast br Are empty now, br And I mourn, as did Teng Yu of old, br My only son.