我居北海君南海， I am on the north shore, while you are on the south.

寄雁傳書謝不能。 Even the geese could not carry my message to you.

桃李春風一杯酒，Remember the day we drank under the blossom of peach and plum?

江湖夜雨十年燈。 It has been ten years since we parted ways and wandered.

持家但有四立壁， Your house has only four empty walls.

治病不蘄三折肱。 and you have to heal yourself when in sickness.

想見讀書頭已白，   You must still work hard at reading, even though your hair has turned gray.

隔溪猿哭瘴溪藤。 like a lone ape crying and climbing along the vine above the valley of miasma.