Farewell to Dong Tinglan (1) Gao Shi Though yellow clouds extend a thousand miles, And sunbeams in retreat show pallid white, Though snowflakes on the north wind billow wild, Which chases autumn geese as they migrate, Don’t fear the road ahead will lack for friends: In all the world, who doesn’t know your name? 高适 别董大二首·其一 千里黄云白日曛,北风吹雁雪纷纷。 莫愁前路无知己,天下谁人不识君?
Dong Tinglan was a celebrated musician, best remembered in a famous poem by Li Qi. In this poem, Dong has apparently been appointed to some position in the northwest, and has to travel away from Chang’an to work. Gao reassures him that he is a global superstar, and even in the wastes of the barbarian north, he’ll still find be met by screaming fans…