University of Virginia Library

五言古詩 王維 送綦毋潛落第還鄉

聖代無隱者, 英靈盡來歸,
遂令東山客, 不得顧採薇。
既至金門遠, 孰云吾道非?
江淮度寒食, 京洛縫春衣。
置酒長安道, 同心與我違;
行當浮桂棹, 未幾拂荊扉。
遠樹帶行客, 孤城當落暉。
吾謀適不用, 勿謂知音稀?

Five-character-quatrain
Wang Wei TO QIWU QIAN BOUND HOME
AFTER FAILING IN AN EXAMINATION

In a happy reign there should be no hermits;
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 thatch 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.