It is almost as hard for friends to meet
As for the morning and evening stars
Tonight then is a rare event
Joining in the candlelight
Two men who were young not long ago
But now are turning grey at the temples
...To find that half our friends are dead
Shock us
Burn our hearts with grief
We little guessed it would be twenty years
Before I could visit you again
When i went away
You were still unmarried
But now these boys and girls in a row are
Very kind to their father's old friend
They ask me where I have been on my journey
And then
When we have talked awhile
They bring and show me wines and dishes
Spring chives cut in the night-rain
And brown rice cooked freshly a special way
...My host proclaims it a festival
He urges me to drink ten cups--
But what ten cups could make me as drunk
As I always am with your love in my heart?
...Tomorrow the mountain will separate us
After tomorrow who can say?