没蕃故人

张籍

前年伐月支， 城下没全师。

蕃汉断消息， 死生长别离。

无人收废帐， 归马识残旗。

欲祭疑君在， 天涯哭此时。

THINKING OF A FRIEND LOST IN THE TIBETAN WAR

Zhang Ji

Last year you went with your troops to Tibet;

And when your men had vanished beyond the citywall,

News was cut off between the two worlds

As between the living and the dead.

No one has come upon a faithful horse guarding

A crumpled¹ tent or torn flag, or any trace of you.

If only I knew, I might serve you in the temple,

Instead of these tears toward the far sky.