[updated September 2022]
November Nineteenth, 1061 AD, Leave for Zhengzhou with Ziyou, Outside the West Gate, Saddle Up and Compose This One Page Poem
辛 丑 一 月 十 九 日 既 与 子 由 别 于 郑 州 西 门 之 外，
与 上 赋 诗 一 篇 寄 之
不 饮 胡 为 醉 兀 兀
此 心 已 逐 归 鞍 发。
归 人 犹 自 念 庭 帏
今 我 何 以 慰 寂 寞。
登 高 回 首 坡 拢 隔
惟 见 乌 帽 出 复 没。
苦 寒 念 尔 衣 裘 薄
独 骑 瘦 马 踏 残 月。
路 人 行 歌 居 人 乐
童 仆 怪 我 苦 凄 恻。
亦 知 人 生 要 有 别
但 恐 岁 月 去 飘 忽。
寒 灯 相 对 记 畴 昔
夜 雨 何 时 听 萧 瑟。
君 知 此 意 不 可 忘
慎 勿 苦 爱 高 官 职。
Xin Chou Shi Yi Yue Shi Jiu Ri, Ji Yu Zi You Bie Yu Zheng Zhou Xi Men Zhi Wai, Ma Shang Fu Shi Yi Pian Ji Zhi
Bu yin hu wei zui wu wu
Ci xin yi zhu gui an fa.
Gui ren you zi nian ting wei
Jin wo he yi wei ji mo.
Deng gao hui shou po long ge
Wei jian wu mao chu fu mei.
Ku han nian er yi qiu bao
Du qi shou ma ta can yue.
Lu ren xing ge ju ren le
Tong pu guai wo ku qi ce.
Yi zhi ren sheng yao you bie
Dan kong sui yue qu piao hu.
Han deng xiang dui ji chou xi
Ye you he shi ting xiao se.
Jun zhi ci yi bu ke mang
Shen wu ku ai gao guan zhi.
November Nineteenth, 1061 A.D., Leave For Zhengzhou with Ziyou, Outside the West Gate, Saddle Up and Compose This One Page Poem
Why do I feel drunk, even though I did not drink anything?
My heart returns with my brother back home as he rides off.
I will think of you in our hometown
Now, who can console me in my loneliness.
Climb up on a hill, look back, only see mountain slopes in the distance
And your duck-winged hat moving away.
I am worried that in the cold, your clothes and fur coat are too thin and shabby
One rider on a thin and lanky horse, under a crescent moon.
People on the road happily singing
My young servants sad and full of sorrow.
Know that human conditions require many departures
Yet afraid time flies by too fast.
Cold light, face to face with the memory of former times
Night rain, when can we hear again these sounds.
I know you do not forget our vows to each other
Careful, don’t love this new high-ranking government job.
Notes:
Zhengzhou: Located on the Yellow River in Henan Province.
Ziyou: Su’s brother.