chóu Guō Jǐshì 酬郭给事 Reply to Secretary Guo

by 王维(Wáng Wéi)

dòng mén gāo gé ǎi yú huī, táo lǐ yīn yīn liǔ xù fēi.
洞门高阁霭余晖，桃李阴阴柳絮飞。
At the cavern gate and lofty pavilion, the lingering sunset glows in mist; peach and plum trees cast deep shade, while willow catkins drift through the air.

jìn lǐ shū zhōng guān shè wǎn, shěng zhōng tí niǎo lì rén xī.
禁里疏钟官舍晚，省中啼鸟吏人稀。
Within the palace, sparse bells mark the evening at the officials’ quarters; in the Secretariat, birds are calling, and few clerks remain.

chén yáo yù pèi qū jīn diàn, xī fèng tiān shū bài suǒ wéi.
晨摇玉佩趋金殿，夕奉天书拜琐闱。
In the morning, jade pendants sway as one hastens to the golden hall; by evening, imperial edicts are received with bows at the ornate palace gate.

qiáng yù cóng jūn wú nà lǎo, jiāng yīn wò bìng jiě cháo yī.
强欲从君无那老，将因卧病解朝衣。
Though I strongly wish to follow you, age leaves me helpless; perhaps, because of illness, I will lay aside my court robes.