Brief Travel Song, Send As a Gift to Government Official Wang Lang
短 歌 行 赠 王 郎 司 直
王 郎 酒 酣 拔 剑
斫 地 歌 莫 哀
我 能 拔 尔 抑 塞
磊 落 之 奇 才。
豫 草 翻 风 白 日 动
鲸 鱼 跋 浪 沧 溟 开。
且 脱 佩 剑 休 徘 徊。
西 得 诸 侯 棹 锦 水
欲 向 何 门 趿 珠 履？
仲 宣 楼 头 春 色 深
青 眼 高 歌 望 吾 子
眼 中 之 人 吾 老 矣！
Duan Ge Xing Zeng Wang Lang Si Zhi
Wang lang jiu han ba jian
Zhuo di ge mo ai
Wo neng ba er yi sai
Lei luo zhi qi cai.
Yu cao fan feng bai ri dong
Jing yu ba lang cang ming kai.
Qie tuo pei jian xiu pai huai.
Xi de zhu hou zhao jin shui
Yu xiang he men ta zhu lu?
Zhong xuan lou tou chun se shen
Qing yan gao ge wang wu zi
Yan zhong zhi ren wu lao yi!
Brief Travel Song, Send As a Gift to Government Official Wang Lang
Wang Lang heartily drinks wine and draws his sword
Striking it on the ground, sings his melancholy songs.
I feel you are able to, and will suppress your temper
Open and upright your outstanding talent.
Yu and Zhang wood strong in the wind and light of day
You will emerge like a whale crossing mountains of dark blue waves.
For now wear your sword, stop pacing back and forth
In this region of small western dukedoms, row your boat in a bright river.
Which gated faction do you wish to serve?
Zhong Xuan’s tower with remnants of deep spring colors.
Facing you, I don’t roll my eyes, I give to you my black eyes
With my age and experience I have seen the kind of people who succeed.
Notes:
Yu and Zhang wood: Northern elm and camphor trees that supply the lumber used to make boats in ancient China.
Zhong Xuan’s tower: Located in the city of Xiangyang.