Category Archives: Parting

A Farewell to Secretary Shu-Yun at the Hsieh T’iao Villa in Hsuan-Chou - 宣州谢楼饯别校书叔云

Since yesterday had to throw me and bolt, Today has hurt my heart even more. The autumn wildgeese have a long wind for escort As I face them from this villa, drinking my wine. The bones of great writers are your brushes, in the School of Heaven, And I am a Lesser Hsieh growing up by your side. We both are [...]
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A Lute Song - 琴歌

Our host, providing abundant wine to make the night mellow, Asks his guest from Yangzhou to play for us on the lute. Toward the moon that whitens the city-wall, black crows are flying, Frost is on ten thousand trees, and the wind blows through our clothes; But a copper stove has added its light to that of flowery candles, And [...]
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Taking Leave of Wang Wei - 留别王维

Slow and reluctant, I have waited Day after day, till now I must go. How sweet the road-side flowers might be If they did not mean good-bye, old friend. The Lords of the Realm are harsh to us And men of affairs are not our kind. I will turn back home, I will say no more, I will close the gate of [...]
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Parting at a Tavern of Chin-Ling - 金陵酒肆留别

The wind blows the willow bloom and fills the whole tavern with fragrance While the pretty girls of Wu bid us taste the new wine. My good comrades of Chin-ling, hither you have come to see me off. I, going, still tarry; and we drain our cups evermore. Pray ask the river, which is the longer of the two [...]
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Setting Sail on the Yangzi to Secretary Yuan - 初发扬子寄元大校书

In Yangzhou trees linger bell-notes of evening, Marking the day and the place of our parting.... When shall we meet again and where? ...Destiny is a boat on the waves,
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The Poet is Detained in a Nanking Wine-Shop on the Eve of Starting on a Journey - 金陵酒肆留别

The wind blows. The inn is filled with the scent of willow-flowers. In the wine-shops of Wu, women are pressing the wine.[1]    The sight invites customers to taste. The young men and boys of Nanking have gathered to see me off; I wish to start, but I do not, and we drink many, many horn cups to the bottom. I [...]
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