淮上喜会梁川故人

韦应物

江汉曾为客， 相逢每醉还。

浮云一别后， 流水十年间。

欢笑情如旧， 萧疏鬓已斑。

何因北归去？ 淮上对秋山。

A GREETING ON THE HUAI RIVER TO MY OLD FRIENDS FROM LIANGCHUAN

Wei Yingwu

We used to be companions on the Jiang and the Han,

And as often as we met, we were likely to be tipsy.

Since we left one another, floating apart like clouds,

Ten years have run like water-till at last we join again.

And we talk again and laugh again just as in earlier days,

Except that the hair on our heads is tinged¹ now with grey.

Why not come along, then, all of us together,

And face the autumn mountains and sail along the Huai?