Having climbed to the topmost peak of the incense burner mountain ..

Having Climbed to the Topmost Peak of the Incense-burner Mountain  

Bai Juyi 772-846  

Up and up, the Incense-burner Peak!  

In my heart is stored what my eyes and ears perceived.  

All the year--detained by official business;  

Today at last I got a chance to go.  

Grasping the creepers, I clung to dangerous rocks;  

My hands and feet--weary with groping for hold.  

There came with me three of four friends,  

But two friends dared not go further.  

At last we reached the topmost crest of the Peak;  

My eyes were blinded, my soul rocked and reeled.  

The chasm beneath me--ten thousand feet;  

The ground I stood on, only a foot wide.  

If you have not exhausted the scope of seeing and hearing,  

How can you realize the wideness of the world?  

The waters of the River looked narrow as a ribbon,  

Peng Castle smaller than a man's fist.  

How it clings, the dust of the world's halter!  

Coming home I thought this over and sighed;  

Then, with lowered head, came back to the Ants' Nest.

Explanation:

I don't know what the question that you wanted to be answered, but you put that and I hope this helps.

adding more details about the struggle rainsford experiences as he swims to the shore

men had a stronger claim to titles and wealth during the renaissance.