Taking Leave of a Friend

blue mountains lie beyond the north wall;
round the city's eastern side flows the white river.
here we part, friend, once forever.
you go ten thousand miles drifting away
like an unrooted water-grass.
oh, the floating clouds and the thoughts of a wanderer!
oh, the sunset and the longing of an old friend!
we ride away from each other, waving our hands,
while our horses neigh softly, softly. . . . .

--Li Po