Very quietly I take my leave.

As quietly as I came here;

Quietly I wave good-bye.

To the rosy clouds in the western sky.

The golden willows by the riverside.

Are young brides in the setting sun;

Their reflections on the shimmering waves.

Always linger in the depth of my heart.

The floating heart growing in the sludge.

Sways leisurely under the water;

In the gentle waves of Cambridge.

I would be a water plant!

That pool under the shade of elm trees.

Holds not water but the rainbow from the sky;

Shattered to pieces among the duckweeds.

Is the sediment of a rainbow-like dream?

To seek a dream? Just to pole a boat upstream.

To where the green grass is more verdant;

Or to have the boat fully loaded with starlight.

And sing aloud in the splendour of starlight.

But I cannot sing aloud.

Quietness is my farewell music;

Even summer insects help silence for me.

Silent is Cambridge tonight!

Very quietly I take my leave.

As quietly as I came here;

Gently I flick my sleeves.

Not even a wisp of cloud will I bring away.