鐔津文集 13.18

13.18

昨別晦叔志氣強。今聞晦叔忽已亡。始知未信便必爾。定聞不覺心自傷。心傷君子何所切。念君素懷殊未張。賢良不遂（遂或召字）死從事。可惜謫仙才艶長。陸機弟兄皆早世。芝蘭零落何相望。高堂有親𩬊被領。白日悠悠悲未央。憶君去年來我室。抵掌俉語聲琅琅。坐人驚嘆幾絕倒。是是非非窮否臧。當時然諾頗相得。聲色慷慨多揄揚。乃云平叔不足比。齷齪自疑何敢當。白雲有期尚相待。豈意游魂成渺茫。哲人自古寡眉壽。天理如何不可量。

Yesterday parting from Huishu, his will and vigor were strong; / Today hearing that Huishu has suddenly passed away. / Only now do I know that what I could not believe must indeed be so; / Hearing it for certain, unconsciously my heart grieves. / Grieving for the gentleman, what cuts so deep? / Thinking of your original aspirations, which were never unfolded. / A virtuous and good man unable to fulfill his destiny (or 'summoned'), dying as an administrative assistant; / Alas, the banishment-worthy genius's brilliant talent was vast! / Lu Ji and his brother both died young; / The iris and orchid wither and fall, how can they look to each other? / In the high hall is an aged parent with hair disheveled; / The white sun drags endlessly, sorrow without end. / I recall last year when you came to my room, / Clapping hands and conversing, your voice ringing clear. / The sitters marvelled and nearly fell over in laughter; / Exhausting right and wrong, judging the good and bad. / At that time our agreements matched so well; / With fervent voice and expression, you praised me so much. / Saying that Pingshu was not worthy of comparison; / Feeling petty and doubtful of myself, how could I dare accept it? / White clouds have a tryst, still waiting for you; / Who could have thought your roaming soul would vanish into the vast beyond? / Wise men from of old have rarely enjoyed longevity; / How can the principle of Heaven be measured?