1. Send Du Shaofu to Shuzhou
Author: Wang Bo
The city gate assists the Three Qin Dynasties, and the wind and smoke look out to Wujin.
I want to say goodbye to you, both are eunuchs.
There are close friends in the sea, and they are like neighbors in the world.
Inaction is on the road, and the children are wet with towels.
Translation:
In the ancient Three Qin Dynasty, the city walls and palaces of Chang'an were protected. The wind and smoke are billowing, and Wujin of Minjiang River in Shuzhou cannot be seen.
When we shake hands with you and say goodbye, we feel close to each other; you and I are both people who are far away from home and working as officials abroad.
As long as I have you within the four seas, I am a close friend, no matter how far apart we are, we feel like we are together.
Please don’t cry sadly on the road to separation; just like passionate young men and women, weeping and staining each other’s clothes.
2. Farewell to Dongda
Tang Dynasty: Gao Shi
Thousands of miles of yellow clouds and white sun, and the north wind blows wild geese and snow.
Don’t worry, there will be no friends in the future. Who in the world doesn’t know you?
Translation:
Thousands of miles of yellow clouds cover the sky, the sun is dim, and the north wind blows the returning geese and there is heavy snowfall.
Don’t worry that the road ahead is bleak and you don’t have a confidant. Who in the world doesn’t know you?
3. The Yellow Crane Tower sends Meng Haoran to Guangling
Author: Li Bai
The old friend bid farewell to the Yellow Crane Tower in the west, and fireworks descended from Yangzhou in March.
The shadow of the lone sail in the distance is gone in the blue sky, and only the Yangtze River can be seen flowing in the sky.
Translation:
My old friend said goodbye to me at the Yellow Crane Tower and left for Yangzhou in the flower-filled March.
The shadow of Gufan went away and disappeared in the blue sky, and only the mighty Yangtze River was seen flowing towards the horizon.
4. Send off the second envoy of the Yuan Dynasty to Anxi
Author: Wang Wei
The morning rain in Weicheng is light and dusty, and the guesthouses are green and willows are new.
I advise you to drink another glass of wine. There will be no old friends when you leave Yangguan in the west.
Translation:
The early morning drizzle wetted the dust in Weicheng; the green brick and green tiled hotel and the surrounding willow trees looked particularly fresh and clear.
Please have another drink at the farewell bar; because after you leave Yangguan, you will not see your old friends there.
5. Farewell in Yishui / Farewell in Yishui
Tang Dynasty: King Luo Bin
Farewell to Yandan here, the strong man is proud of his crown.
The people were gone in those days, but the water is still cold today.
Translation:
In this place, Jing Ke bid farewell to Prince Dan of Yan, and the strong man sang tragically and was full of anger.
The people at that time are no longer here, but today’s Yishui is still so cold.