送綦毋潜落第还乡

王维

圣代无隐者， 英灵尽来归。

遂令东山客， 不得顾采薇。

既至金门远， 孰云吾道非。

江淮度寒食， 京洛缝春衣。

置酒长安道， 同心与我违。

行当浮桂棹， 未几拂荆扉。

远树带行客， 孤城当落晖。

吾谋适不用， 勿谓知音稀。

TO QIWU QIAN BOUND HOME AFTER FAILING IN AN EXAMINATION

Wang Wei

In a happy reign¹ there should be no hermits²;

The wise and able should consult together….

So you, a man of the eastern mountains,

Gave up your life of picking herbs

And came all the way to the Gate of Gold --

But you found your devotion unavailing.

…To spend the Day of No Fire on one of the southern rivers,

You have mended your spring clothes here in these northern cities.

I pour you the farewell wine as you set out from the capital --

Soon I shall be left behind here by my bosomfriend.

In your sail-boat of sweet cinnamon-wood

You will float again toward your own thatch³ door,

Led along by distant trees

To a sunset shining on a far-away town.

…What though your purpose happened to fail,

Doubt not that some of us can hear high music.