To the Duke of Changsha
- Poetry of Tao Yuanming

余于长沙公为族，祖同出大司马。昭穆既远，以为路人。经过浔阳，临别赠此。

同源分流，人易世疏。

慨然寤叹，念兹厥初。

礼服遂悠，岁月眇徂。

感彼行路，眷然踌躇。

于穆令族，允构斯堂。

谐气冬暄，映怀圭璋。

爰采春华，载警秋霜。

我曰钦哉，实宗之光。

伊余云遘，在长忘同。

笑言未久，逝焉西东。

遥遥三湘，滔滔九江。

山川阻远，行李时通。

何以写心，贻此话言。

进篑虽微，终焉为山。

敬哉离人，临路凄然。

款襟或辽，音问其先。

The Duke of Changsha and I are both descendants of Tao Kan.As we are distant relatives,we have never got in touch.When we meet in Xunyang,I dedicate this poem to him before we part.

As rivers branch in many streams,

So men descend in various teams.

At this my deep emotion grows

Because same blood in our veins flows.

The distance keeps us far apart

And years have played a major part.

As you will soon be on your way,

I hope you'll make a longer stay.

I honour what you're doing now,

Inheriting the fame of Tao.

You have displayed a gentle mind,

Like jadewear of the finest kind.

You're vigorous as spring-time bloom

That autumn frost cannot consume.

You are a person I admire,

A worthy heir to ancient sire.

By chance we meet in native land

And walk as kinsmen hand in hand.

Before our chat is long enough,

You'll take your journey tough and rough.

You'll hold your fief in Sanxiang

While I remain here in Jiujiang.

As hills and rills keep us apart,

Let constant message link our heart.

To show my mind in sayings terse,

I write these hearty lines of verse:

"Pail by pail you heap a hill;

Deed by deed you prove your will."

Take care on forward ways you go;

Our parting fills my heart with woe.

As we'll not chatter face to face,

Let message take the place.