xún xī shān yǐn zhě bù yù
寻西山隐者不遇
Seeking the Recluse of West Mountain, but Not Finding Him

by 丘为(Qiū Wéi)

jué dǐng yī máo cí, zhí shàng sān shí lǐ.
绝顶一茅茨，直上三十里。
At the mountain summit stands a single thatched hut, reached only after climbing thirty li straight upward.

kòu guān wú tóng pú, kuī shì wéi àn jǐ.
扣关无僮仆，窥室唯案几。
I knocked at the gate, but no servant answered; peering inside, I saw only a desk and a small table.

ruò fēi jīn chái chē, yìng shì diào qiū shuǐ.
若非巾柴车，应是钓秋水。
If he has not gone out in his rustic cart, he must be fishing in the autumn waters.

chā chí bù xiāng jiàn, mǐn miǎn kōng yǎng zhǐ.
差池不相见，黾勉空仰止。
By some slight mischance we failed to meet; I could only look up in vain with deep admiration.

cǎo sè xīn yǔ zhōng, sōng shēng wǎn chuāng lǐ.
草色新雨中，松声晚窗里。
The grass looked fresh after the rain, and the sound of pines drifted through the evening window.

jí zī qì yōu jué, zì zú dàng xīn ěr.
及兹契幽绝，自足荡心耳。
Here I found harmony with such secluded purity; it was enough to cleanse my heart and mind.

suī wú bīn zhǔ yì, pō dé qīng jìng lǐ.
虽无宾主意，颇得清净理。
Though there was no host to welcome me, I still gained a deep sense of quiet clarity.

xìng jìn fāng xià shān, hé bì dài zhī zǐ.
兴尽方下山，何必待之子。
Only when my delight was spent did I descend the mountain; why must I wait for the man himself?