Межзвёздный скиталец

           AtthewalledcityofChong-hoIputKimandthecitynotablesunderthetablewiththestuff—oronthetable,rather,forthetablewasthefloorwherewesquattedtocramp-knotsinmyhamsforthethousandthtime.Andagainallmuttered“YiYong-ik,”andthewordofmyprowesspassedonbeforeeventoKeijoandtheEmperor’sCourt.

           Iwasmoreanhonouredguestthanaprisoner,andinvariablyIrodebyKim’sside,mylonglegsnearreachingtheground,and,wherethegoingwasdeep,myfeetscrapingthemuck.Kimwasyoung.Kimwashuman.Kimwasuniversal.Hewasamananywhereinanycountry.HeandItalkedandlaughedandjokedthedaylongandhalfthenight.AndIverifyateupthelanguage.Ihadagiftthatwayanyway.EvenKimmarvelledatthewayImasteredtheidiom.AndIlearnedtheKoreanpointsofview,theKoreanhumour,theKoreansoftplaces,weakplaces,touchyplaces.Kimtaughtmeflowersongs,lovesongs,drinkingsongs.Oneofthelatterwashisown,oftheendofwhichIshallgiveyouacrudeattemptattranslation.KimandPak,intheiryouth,sworeapacttoabstainfromdrinking,whichpactwasspeedilybroken.InoldageKimandPaksing:

           “No,no,begone!ThemerrybowlAgainshallbolsterupmysoulAgainstitself.What,goodman,hold!Cansttellmewhereredwineissold?Nay,justbeyondyonpeach-tree?There?Goodluckbethine;I’llthitherfare.