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MEETING WITH AN OLD FRIEND In life, friends seldom are brought near; Like stars, each one shines in its sphere. To—night,—oh! what a happy night! We sit beneath the same lamplight. Our youth and strength last but a day. You and I—ah! our hairs are grey. Friends! Half are in a better land, With tears we grasp each other' s hand. Twenty more years,—short, after all, I once again ascend your hall. When we met, you had not a wife; Now you have children,—such is life! Beaming, they greet their father' s chum; They ask me from where I have come. Before our say, we each have said, The table is already laid. Fresh salads from the garden near, Rice mixed with millet,—frugal cheer. When shall we meet? ' tis hard to know And so let the wine freely flow. This wine, I know, will do no harm. My old friend' s welcome is so warm. To—morrow I go,—to be whirled. Again into the wide, wide world. The above, my version I admit, is almost doggerel, which is meant merely to give the meaning of the Chinese text.But here is the Chinese text which is not doggerel, but poetry—poetry simple to the verge of colloquialism, yet with a grace, dignity pathos and nobleness which I cannot reproduce and which perhaps it is impossible to reproduce, in English in such simple language. 人生不相见 动如参与商 今夕复何夕 共此灯烛光 少壮能几时 须发各已苍 访旧半为鬼 惊呼热中肠 焉知二十载 重上君子堂 昔别君未婚 儿女忽成行 怡然敬父执 问我来何方 问答未及已 儿女罗酒浆 夜雨剪春韭 新炊间黄梁 主称会面难 一举累十觞 十觞亦不醉 感君故意长 明日隔山岳 世事两茫茫 去书内
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