Climbing Wangxian Terrace on the Ninth, for Magistrate Liu
English translation and interpretation are being reviewed.
此日登临曙色开。
三晋云山皆北向，
二陵风雨自东来。
关门令尹谁能识，
河上仙翁去不回。
且欲近寻彭泽宰，
陶然共醉菊花杯。
English translation
Emperor Wen of Han had a lofty terrace, this day I climb it as the dawn light opens.
The clouded hills of the three Jin all turn northward, the wind and rain at the two tombs come from the east.
Who now can know the keeper of the frontier gate? The immortal old man by the river has gone, and will not return.
Rather would I seek nearby the magistrate of Pengze, and happily get drunk together over cups of chrysanthemum wine.
Meaning
Emperor Wen of Han built the lofty Terrace for Gazing on Immortals; today, as I ascend it, the rosy light of dawn just breaks.
The cloud-wrapped hills of the Three Jin all face north; wind and rain from the two mounds of Mount Xiao drift in from the east.
Who could have clearly known the keeper of the pass? The immortal Duke of the River departed and never came back.
Rather than seek for immortals afar, let me seek near at hand the magistrate of Pengze, and drink together a cup to the chrysanthemums of the Double Ninth.
Background
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The exact year in which this poem was written can no longer be determined. On a certain Double Ninth Festival the author ascended Wangxian Terrace together with his friend Liu Rong, the county magistrate; admiring the magnificent scenery, he gave free rein to his thoughts and wrote this poem.