初发扬子寄元大校书

韦应物

 

凄凄去亲爱， 泛泛入烟雾。

归棹洛阳人， 残钟广陵树。

今朝为此别， 何处还相遇。

世事波上舟， 沿洄安得住。

　

SETTING SAIL ON THE YANGZI TO SECRETARY YUAN

Wei Yingwu

 

Wistful, away from my friends and kin,

Through mist and fog I float and float

With the sail that bears me toward Loyang.

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,

Borne to and fro, beyond our will.