Tao Yuanming: Reply to Military Counselor Pang

Reply to Military Counselor Pang

答 庞 参 军

相 知 何 必 旧
倾 盖 定 前 言。
有 客 赏 我 趣
每 每 顾 林 园。

谈 谐 无 俗 调
所 说 圣 人 篇。
或 有 数 斗 酒
闲 饮 自 欢 然。

我 实 幽 居 士
无 复 东 西 缘。
物 新 人 惟 旧
弱 毫 多 所 宣。

情 通 万 里 外
形 迹 滞 江 山。
君 其 爱 体 素
来 会 在 何 年？

Da Pang Can Jun

Xiang zhi he bi jiu
Qing gai ding qian yan.
You ke shang wo qu
Mei mei gu lin yuan.

Tan xie wu su diao
Suo shui sheng ren pian.
Huo you shu dou jiu
Xian yin zi huan ran.

Wo shi you ju shi
Wu fu dong xi yuan.
Wu xin ren wei jiu
Ruo hao duo suo xuan.

Qing tong wan li wai
Xing ji zhi jiang shan.
Jun qi ai ti su
Lai hui zai he nian ?

Reply to Military Counselor Pang

[I have read your letter many times. Since we now are neighbors for two springs, we have come to know each other well. For too long, I have been less than healthy, and have written few poems. With your letter, I am inspired to write more, including this letter.]

We have come to know one another in such a short time
Our words to each other open and honest.
One day you were a guest, to my enjoyment and delight
Then a frequent visitor to my grove and garden.

We discuss and agree without the usual popular tones and niceties
Talk and examine the writings of sages.
Perhaps our destiny is to struggle against our pasts
But we are happy and content to drink and idle about.

Actually I am content to live in remote seclusion
Can never again choose the ways of the wide world.
Only in the past, was I a person influenced by things outside myself
Use a small delicate writing brush so more letters are possible.

Emotional connections can span thousands of miles
Moving past the barriers of mountains and rivers.
Take care of yourself and your health
In what year can we get together again?