鐔津文集 10.38

10.38

I, [Qisong], state: On the fourteenth of this month, an envelope containing the fine verses you bestowed was delivered from Hangzhou. Opening and reading them, I was both astonished and joyful; looking up to your gracious favor, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and shame. I humbly consider that you, Prefect and Critic-Adviser, hold exalted status and weighty renown, being a famous minister of the Sagely Song, with lofty and far-reaching talent and insight, a model for the ministries and pavilions. Yet you specially deigned to be mindful of an obscure, rustic person outside the mundane world, matching and developing my crude and unpolished words. Your tonal regulations are elegant and weighty, your style and rhyme lofty and transcendent. This may be called lending the lingering brilliance of the sun and moon to a torch, or borrowing the great sounds of the Shao and Hu music for an earthen drum, thereby adorning my slight goodness and encouraging my junior learning. To receive such a great bestowal is truly a tremendous fortune. Just now, as I dwell in the mountains instructing a small assembly, I have no leisure to hasten in person to your staff. I respectfully send this letter in advance to present my thanks. I humbly beg your exalted benevolence to deign to look upon this with favor.