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 kin¹,

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.