I sit here with affection for the lingering year—
useless emotion!—
in the room at night, candles burning, waiting for the dawn.
I am not so much saddened at being old,
without my friends;
I am only shamed by the brightness of younger people!
As the New Year comes in, with a smile
I watch the new calendar replace the old;
sleepless, I grow weary of hearing short and long watch-drums.
The incense burns out, the wine turns cold,
the people fall asleep—
suddenly, the first crow of the dawn rooster is heard.