鐔津文集 13.17

13.17

隴西李晦叔死。有以相報者。予聞悼之。且有所感也。晦叔有俊才。素以其才之力氣自豪。故於文章辯論不甚推讓。去年仲春將施生。來吾室與吾語。終日不能去。嘗曰。昔謂方袍平叔。予今顧師不足比也。叵自慨相知之晚。及蒙移書讓其過稱。復曰。方今天下賢而有識者。幾其人哉。在仲靈何讓。其後數數以重語推致於交游間。期將復來劇論。雖然余非其人酌其意愛。豈不謂之知我乎。別去一年志方壯。豈悟其忽然而已亡邪。古人以人生比之。浮雲奄忽不可常保。如此信之矣。辭曰。

Li Huishu of Longxi died; someone brought me the report. Hearing of it, I mourned him and was deeply moved. Huishu possessed outstanding talent and was habitually proud of the vigor of his ability; therefore, in literary composition and debate, he rarely yielded to others. In the second month of spring last year, about to take up an appointment, he came to my room and conversed with me, unable to leave all day. He once said, 'In the past they spoke of Pingshu in monk's robes; looking at you now, Master, he is not worthy of comparison.' He could not help lamenting that our acquaintance had come so late. When I sent a letter rebuking his excessive praise, he replied again, 'In the realm today, among those who are worthy and discerning, how many such men are there? In Zhongling, what need is there to yield?' Thereafter, he repeatedly praised me in weighty words among his circle of friends, promising that he would return for intense discussions. Although I am not that kind of person, considering his affectionate regard, how could it not be said that he understood me? After we parted a year ago, his aspirations were just in their prime; how could I have expected that he would suddenly pass away? The ancients compared human life to floating clouds that vanish abruptly and cannot long be preserved; seeing this, it is truly to be believed! The elegy says: