送綦毋潜落第还乡(TO QIWU QIAN BOUND HOMEAFTER FAILING IN AN EXAMINATION )

送綦毋潜落第还乡

王维

圣代无隐者，英灵尽来归。

遂令东山客，不得顾采薇。

既至金门远，孰云吾道非？

江淮度寒食，京洛缝春衣。

置酒长安道，同心与我违。

行当浮桂棹，未几拂荆扉。

远树带行客，孤城当落晖。

吾谋适不用，勿谓知音稀。

TO QIWU QIAN BOUND HOMEAFTER FAILING IN AN EXAMINATION

Wang Wei
In a happy reign there should be no hermits;

The wise and able should consult together....

So you, a man of the eastern mountains,

Gave up your life of picking herbs

And came all the way to the Gate of Gold --

But you found your devotion unavailing.

...To spend the Day of No Fire on one of the southern rivers,

You have mended your spring clothes here in these northern cities.

I pour you the farewell wine as you set out from the capital --

Soon I shall be left behind here by my bosomfriend.

In your sail-boat of sweet cinnamon-wood

You will float again toward your own thatch door,

Led along by distant trees

To a sunset shining on a far-away town.

...What though your purpose happened to fail,

Doubt not that some of us can hear high music.