The Jade Mountain/To Chi-wu Ch'ien Bound Home after Failing in an Examination

by Wang Wei

TO CHI-WU CH'IEN BOUND HOME
AFTER FAILING IN AN EXAMINATION

In a happy reign there should be no hermits;The wise and able should consult together. . . .So you, a man of the eastern mountains,Gave up your life of picking herbsAnd came all the way to the Gate of Gold—But you found your devotion unavailing.. . . To spend the Day of No Fire on one of the southern rivers,You have mended your spring clothes here in these northern cities. I pour you the farewell wine as you set out from the capital—Soon I shall be left behind here by my bosom-friend.In your sail-boat of sweet cinnamon-woodYou will float again toward your own thatch door,Led along by distant treesTo a sunset shining on a far-away town.. . . What though your purpose happened to fail,Doubt not that some of us can hear high music.

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