by Li-Tai-Po (701 - 762)
Translation by Shigeyoshi Obata (1888 - 1971)

Taking Leave of a Friend
Language: English  after the Chinese (中文) 
The spring wind comes from the east and quickly passes,
Leaving faint ripples in our bowls of wine.
Rise and dance
In the westering sun,
while the urge of youthful years is yet unchecked!

Our wine is now gone. So, farewell!
Here we part, my friend, one last time. Once, forever.
You go ten thousand miles, drifting away
Like an unrooted water-grass.

One brief journey between heaven and earth,
Then, alas! we are the same old dust 
of ten thousand ages.

Oh, the floating clouds 
and the thoughts of a wanderer!
Oh, the sunset and the longing for an old friend!
We ride away from each other, waving our hands,
While our horses neigh softly, softly…

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2023-11-02
Line count: 17
Word count: 116