宦游直送江入海。
My native town lies where the River takes its source,
聞道潮頭一丈高，
As official I go downstream to the seaside.
天寒尚有沙痕在。
'Tis said white-crested waves rise ten feet high at full tide,
中泠南畔石盤陀，
On this cold day the sand bears traces of their force.
古來出沒隨澇波。
There stands a massive boulder south of Central Fountain,
試登絕頂望鄉國，
Emerging or submerged as the tides fall or rise.
江南江北青山多。
I climb atop to see where my native town lies,
羈愁畏晚尋歸楫，
But find by riverside green mountain on green mountain.
山僧苦留看落日。
Home-sick, I will go back by boat lest I be late,
微風萬頃靴文細，
But the monk begs me to stay and view the setting sun.
斷霞半空魚尾赤。
The breeze ripples the water and fine webs are spun;
是時江月初生魄，
Rosy clouds in mid-air like fish-tails undulate.
二更月落天深黑。
Then the moon on the river sheds her new-born light,
江心似有炬火明，
By second watch she sinks into the darkened skies.
飛焰照山栖烏驚。
From the heart of the river a torch seems to rise,
悵然歸臥心莫識，
Its flames light up the mountains and the crows take flight.
非鬼非人竟何物。
Bewildered, I come back and go to bed, lost in thought:
江山如此不歸山，
It’s not a work of man or ghost.
Then what is it?
江神見怪警我頑。
It must be the River God’s warning for me to quit
我謝江神豈得已，
And go to my home-town, which I can’t set at nought.
有田不歸如江水！
Thanking the God, I say I’m reluctant to stay,