For a Young Friend
- Poetry of Du Fu

My dear drunken young friend,

You draw your sword to strike the ground and sing your plaint.

I can help you to end

Your grief and develop your talent without restraint.

You are a giant tree on which sunbeams would quiver,

Or a leviathan whale to make upsurge a river.

So why should you strike the ground with your sword and shiver?

If you go west to cross the River of Brocade,

On whose door would you lean and on whose balustrade?

The tower for talents is built in vernal hue,

All longing eyes are singing and waiting for you,

Bit in your eyes I’m an old man. What can I do?