[updated October 2022]
Gao Ling Composition, Send My Sentiments to Mr. Lu In San Yuan
高 陵 书 情 寄 三 愿 户 少 府
直 方 难 为 进
守 此 微 贱 班。
开 卷 不 及 顾
沉 埋 案 牍 间。
兵 凶 久 相 践
赋 徭 岂 得 闲。
促 戚 下 可 哀
宽 政 身 致 患。
日 夕 思 自 退
出 门 望 故 山。
君 心 倘 如 此
携 手 相 与 还。
Gao Ling Shu Qing Ji San Yuan Hu Shao Fu
Zhi fang nan wei jin
Shou ci wei jian ban.
Kai juan bu ji gu
Chen mai an du jian.
Bing xiong jiu xiang jian
Fu yao qi dei xian.
Cu qi xia ke ai
Kuan zheng shen zhi huan.
Ri xi si zi tui
Chu men wang gu shan.
Jun xin tang ru ci
Xie shou xiang yu huan.
Gao Ling Composition, Send My Sentiments to Mr. Lu in San Yuan
Difficult to move forward when going in a straight ahead direction
I have noticed my progress is only into low and humble positions.
To scan the opened government scrolls is not a good match for me
Buried under piles and piles of documents.
For a long time unlucky soldiers trip over each other
How is leisure possible when taxes are always due.
So sad are those crawling on top of one another
Troubles arise if I try to have a life away from politics.
At sunset think of sending myself into retirement
Depart from my door, gaze into the distance at old mountains.
I know your heart-mind just like this
Take each other by the hand to cherish birds flying into the sunset glow.
Notes:
Gao Ling: A city in Shaanxi Province
San Yuan: A city in Shaanxi Province
Birds flying into the sunset glow: Perhaps refers to a line in the famous poem, “Drinking Wine No. 5”, by Tao Yuanming: Eastern Jin Dynasty poet (365-427). His work and biography can also be found on this website.