[updated September 2022]
Mourn For Yun Biao, a Xian Mountain Buddhist Monk
伤 岘 山 云 表 观 主
少 予 学 书 剑
秦 吴 多 岁 年。
归 来 一 登 眺
陵 谷 尚 依 然。
岂 意 餐 霞 客
溘 随 朝 露 先。
因 之 问 闾 里
把 臂 几 人 全？
Shang Xian Shan Yun Biao Guan Zhu
Shao yu xue shu jian
Qin wu duo sui nian.
Gui lai yi deng tiao
Ling gu shang yi ran.
Qi yi can xia ke
Ke sui zhao lu xian.
Yin zi wen lu li
Ba bi ji ren quan?
Mourn For Yun Biao, a Xian Mountain Buddhist Monk
When young I studied the classics: books and swords
Then for many years traveled from Qin to Wu.
Came back home, climbed up to a high place to gaze into the distance
Hills and valleys same as before.
Wonder what is the meaning for this traveler who eats the rosy mists of dawn
Who suddenly follows the dawn, dew, passing away before me.
Because of this news, I ask the local village people
Of my very good friends, how many are left?
Notes:
Qin to Wu: Two nation states in ancient times. Qin was to the west and surrounded the ancient capital of Chang’an (now Xi’an). Wu approximately comprised the modern provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu. In essence, it means from “west to east”.
The rosy mists of dawn: Things of a spiritual nature.