One day Li Bai had nothing to do and decided to go for an outing when he saw that the spring scenery was just right. So I came to Peach Blossom Pond in Jingxian County to enjoy the flowers. On the way, I met Wang Lun. They both agreed and became friends. They traveled together, enjoyed the flowers and beautiful scenery, wrote poems and songs, and talked about life.
As the two talked and laughed, time passed quickly, and Li Bai said goodbye to Wang Lun and returned. After saying goodbye, Li Bai boarded the boat and was about to set off when he suddenly heard the sound of singing from the shore. When he turned around, he saw his friend Wang Lun standing on the shore to see him off. Li Bai was deeply moved and immediately composed a quatrain of "To Wang Lun" .
"A Gift to Wang Lun"
Tang Dynasty: Li Bai
Li Bai was about to travel in a boat when he suddenly heard singing on the shore.
The water in Peach Blossom Pond is a thousand feet deep, not as deep as Wang Lun’s gift to me.
Translation:
Li Bai got on the boat and was about to set off when he suddenly heard a farewell song coming from the shore.
Even if the Peach Blossom Pond is as deep as a thousand feet, it cannot be as deep as Wang Lun’s sincere farewell to me.
Extended information:
The first half of the poem is a narrative: first the person who is leaving is written, and then the person who is seeing them off is written, showing a picture of parting. The sentence "take a boat" indicates that it is following a waterway. "The desire will be carried out" indicates that the boat is ready to go. This sentence makes readers seem to see Li Bai saying goodbye to people on the boat about to leave the shore.
The second half of the poem is lyrical: the third sentence is a distant connection, further explaining that the location of the boat is in Peach Blossom Pond. "A thousand feet deep" not only describes the characteristics of the pool, but also foreshadows the conclusion. The water in Peach Blossom Pond is so deep, it touches Li Ren's feelings even more. Wang Lun's deep affection is unforgettable, and the water is naturally connected with deep affection.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Gift to Wang Lun