Homeward Bound I Go By Tao Yuan-ming Jin Dynasty (356-427)                                                                                                                  (Translated by YK Kwan, all rights reserved) Homeward Bound I go! Homeward bound I go! In my garden, weeds have taken hold, Why shouldn’t I go? My body, a master enslaving my soul, Why then should I indulge in my own sorrow. I wouldn’t waste thoughts on the past, To the future, my mind, I will cast. I wandered astray but not far, Past wrong is put right today at last. Lightly floating, my boat plies along, My garment fluttering in the breezy air. Enquiring the helmsman how the way would fair, I sulk at the dimness of the dawn. Then I catch sight of my housetop, And quicken my pace in joyful hops. Welcoming, are servants and maids, Youngsters waiting at the doorway. Garden paths all in deserted state, Only chrysanthemums and pines stay. I pass in with the little ones led by the hand, On the table full bottles of wine stand. I pour out a drink for myself from the pot, And enjoy looking at the boughs in the court. I lean against the window with new-found pride, And find comfort in my small room inside. I saunter daily in the garden until late, More often shut than not is the front gate. I wander about with my cane and when tired I rest, Scanning aloft at the blue I admire best. Clouds drift idly from the mountain crest, Birds when exhausted return to their nests. Shadows vanish when the sun is going down, Near my favourite pine I loiter around. Home once more again! Seek for me no more my friend. This world, I am out of place with it, Why go after what I’m destined not to meet? In amicable coze with my kin and folks, I can amuse myself with lute and books. Husbandmen say spring-time is nigh, There will be fieldwork on the western side. In a wagon or on a lone boat I oar, To the rugged mounds or gorges I can explore. In the woods leaves bursting vividly around, Spring water gushing with a gurgling sound. With the seasons, myriad things revive, I can envision the sequel of my life. This is good as done! In this world, how long can mortality run? Why not set my mind at rest on whereforth I go, But with anxiety, trouble my soul? Neither wealth nor power I want to own, And Heaven is too remote for me a home. I'd go along with the bright hours, And holding my cane I can weed the flowers. I’ll mount the eastern hills to let out a long call, And cite my verses near the limpid waterfall. I’ll work out my span to the appointed date, And without a doubt, find contentment in my Fate. 歸 去 來 辭 晉、陶潛(淵明) 歸 去 來 辭 歸 去 來 兮 ! 田 園 將 蕪 , 胡 不 歸 ? 既 自 以 心 為 形 役 ; 奚 惆 悵 而 獨 悲 ? 悟 已 往 之 不 諫 , 知 來 者 之 可 追。 實 迷 途 其 未 遠 , 覺 今 是 而 昨 非。 舟 搖 搖 以 輕 颺 , 風 飄 飄 而 吹 衣。 問 征 夫 以 前 路 , 恨 晨 光 之 熹 微。 乃 瞻 衡 宇 , 載 欣 載 奔。 僮 僕 歡 迎 , 稚 子 候 門 。 三 徑 就 荒 , 松 菊 猶 存 。 攜 幼 入 室 , 有 酒 盈 樽 。 引 壺 觴 以 自 酌 , 眄 庭 柯 以 怡 顏 。 倚 南 窗 以 寄 傲 , 審 容 膝 之 易 安 。 園 日 涉 以 成 趣 , 門 雖 設 而 常 關 。 策 扶 老 以 流 憩 , 時 矯 首 而 遐 觀 。 雲 無 心 以 出 岫 , 鳥 倦 飛 而 知 還 。 景 翳 翳 以 將 入 , 撫 孤 松 而 盤 桓 。 歸 去 來 兮 ! 請 息 交 以 絕 遊 ! 世 與 我 而 相 違 , 復 駕 言 兮 焉 求 ? 悅 親 戚 之 情 話 , 樂 琴 書 以 消 憂 。 農 人 告 余 以 春 及 , 將 有 事 於 西 疇 。 或 命 巾 車 , 或 棹 孤 舟 : 既 窈 窕 以 尋 壑 , 亦 崎 嶇 而 經 邱 。 木 欣 欣 以 向 榮 , 泉 涓 涓 而 始 流 。 羨 萬 物 之 得 時 , 感 吾 生 之 行 休 。 已 矣 乎 ! 寓 形 宇 內 復 幾 時 ? 曷 不 委 心 任 去 留 , 胡 為 遑 遑 欲 何 之 ? 富 貴 非 吾 願 , 帝 鄉 不 可 期 。 懷 良 辰 以 俱 往 , 或 植 杖 而 耘 杼。 登 東 臬 以 舒 嘯 , 臨 清 流 而 賦 詩 。 聊 乘 化 以 歸 盡 , 樂 夫 天 命 復 奚 疑 。