how cruel a punishment

being pushed out to be decapitated

at the Meridian Gate

the poor old official must stumble through

one long corridor after another long corridor

one huge mansion after another huge mansion

one tall threshold after another tall threshold

after a treacherous road to power

an endless road to the dead end

on the uneven brick floors

one can still see his indistinct footprints

markings of calumnies and heavy chains