送秘书晁监还日本国
积水不可极,
安知沧海东[1]!
九州何处远?
万里若乘空。
向国唯看日,
归帆但信风。
鳌身映天黑,
鱼眼射波红。
乡树扶桑外,
主人孤岛中。
别离方异域,
音信若为通。
这是王维送别诗中又一力作,也是一曲中日两国在唐朝时的友谊之歌。秘书晁监即晁衡,原名阿倍仲麻吕,开元五年(717)以遣唐使来中国,因慕中国之风,留而不去,改名为晁衡。天宝十二年(753),晁衡乘船回国探亲。王维并没有航海的经历,但从目的地的渺远和航程的艰险,诗人声声喟叹,让人感同身受地体会到了航海时的孤独感、神秘感和恐惧感。全诗充满了一种怅惘、忧愁、悬念、惜别等杂糅交织而成的至精至诚的情谊。
注释:
[1]沧海东:此处代指日本。
Seeing Secretary Chao Back to Japan
The sea is far and wide,
Who knows the other side?
How far is it away?
A thousand miles,you say.
Look at the sun,oh!please.
Your sail should trust the breeze.
Turtles bear the dark sky;
Giant fishes raise waves high.
When you are in your isle,
There’re trees from mile to mile.
Though we’re separated for long,
Would you send me your song?