A Letter of Self-Recommendation to Prefecture Governor of Jingzhou Han Chaozong..........Li Bai

与韩荆州书

李白

白闻天下谈士相聚而言曰：“生不用封万户侯，但愿一识韩荆州。”何令人之景慕，一至于此耶！岂不以有周公之风，躬吐握之事，使海内豪俊，奔走而归之，一登龙门，则声价十倍！所以龙蟠凤逸之士，皆欲收名定价于君侯。愿君侯不以富贵而骄之、寒贱而忽之，则三千之中有毛遂，使白得颖脱而出，即其人焉。

白，陇西布衣，流落楚、汉。十五好剑术，遍干诸侯。三十成文章，历抵卿相。虽长不满七尺，而心雄万夫。皆王公大人许与气义。此畴曩心迹，安敢不尽于君侯哉！

君侯制作侔神明，德行动天地，笔参造化，学究天人。幸愿开张心颜，不以长揖见拒。必若接之以高宴，纵之以清谈，请日试万言，倚马可待。今天下以君侯为文章之司命，人物之权衡，一经品题，便作佳士。而君侯何惜阶前盈尺之地，不使白扬眉吐气，激昂青云耶？

昔王子师为豫州，未下车，即辟荀慈明，既下车，又辟孔文举；山涛作冀州，甄拔三十余人，或为侍中、尚书，先代所美。而君侯亦荐一严协律，入为秘书郎，中间崔宗之、房习祖、黎昕、许莹之徒，或以才名见知，或以清白见赏。白每观其衔恩抚躬，忠义奋发，以此感激，知君侯推赤心于诸贤腹中，所以不归他人，而愿委身国士。傥急难有用，敢效微躯。

且人非尧舜，谁能尽善？白谟猷筹画，安能自矜？至于制作，积成卷轴，则欲尘秽视听。恐雕虫小技，不合大人。若赐观刍荛，请给纸墨，兼之书人，然后退扫闲轩，缮写呈上。庶青萍、结绿，长价于薛、卞之门。幸推下流，大开奖饰，惟君侯图之。

A Letter of Self-Recommendation to Prefecture Governor of Jingzhou Han Chaozong

Li Bai

I hear that when eloquent scholars of the country gathered together, they would say: “We would prefer to meet Prefecture Governor Han Jingzhou rather than be conferred the title of marquis with sustenance from ten thousand families.” How miraculous it is for Your Excellency to inspire them with such admiration and adoration! Isn’t it not because you have the courteous manners of Duke Zhou, who was eager to look for worthies and virtuous talents, so that heroes and gentlemen in the country keep running to your door? As soon as scholars are honored by your reception, their reputation is increased ten fold. Therefore, all the unknown talents and virtuous scholars try to become well-renowned and get their worthiness established through your recommendation. It is hoped that Your Excellency will not disdain them because of your own wealth and nobility, nor ignore them because they are poor and lowly. Then out of three thousand guests there will certainly be an outstanding person like Mao Sui, and I will just turn out to be such a person if I am given the opportunity.

  I am a plebeian from Longxi (present Gansu), now traveling in the land of Chu and Han. I was fond of swordplay at the age of fifteen, and I visited a lot of dukes and princes. I achieved success in prose and poetry at the age of thirty, when I was given interviews by many dignitaries and ministers. Although I am less than seven chi tall, I am more ambitious than ten thousand people put together. Lords and dignitaries used to praise me for my lofty aspirations and moral principle. Those are my experiences and deeds in the past, and I dare not conceal them from you!

  The works of Your Excellency are comparable to gods and divinities; your virtues move heaven and earth, and your articles are as meritorious as the Creator, while your learning covers the way of heaven and events of humans. I cordially hope you will be magnanimous and amiable, and will not reject me because of my simply bowing to you without kneeling down. If you are not reluctant to entertain me with a feast and allow me to deliver a pompous speech, just test me whether I can compose an article of ten thousand words, I am sure to finish it right away. Now you are universally regarded as the authority to decide the fate of prose and poetry and judge the worthiness of people. Once a man gets your positive comments, he will be regarded as remarkably outstanding, so why do you grudge receiving me at the small piece of land in front of your hall steps, so that I can hold my head high with my aspirations soaring to the skies.

  In the past, when Wang Zishi served as Governor of Yuzhou, he enlisted Xun Ciming before he took office, and then Kong Wenju after his assumption of position. When Shan Tao was Governor of Jizhou, he selected more than thirty people, some of whom became privy counselors and some ministers. All the above deeds were praised by our previous generations. Your Excellency also recommended a man called Yan Xielü, who was selected to work with the central secretariat. There were also Cui Zongzhi, Pang Xizu, Li Xin, Xu Ying and other people, some of whom were known to you for their talents, and some appreciated for their honesty. When I saw their respectful gratitude to you, their loyalty and devotion to the court and conscientious diligence, I felt moved and inspired so much. Knowing that you are open and sincere to the talented and virtuous, I do not turn to others but seek for your recommendation. If I can be of service in the case of emergency, I will give my humble life.

  As ordinary people are not such saints as Yao and Shun, who can be regarded as perfect? I have schemes and plans, but how can I boast about them? As for my works, I have compiled them into volumes and scrolls, which I will venture to ask for your reading, only fearing they are simply insignificant stuff not to your liking. If you could be so kind as to favor me with your interest in them, please give me paper and ink, as well as copying assistants. Then I will go back, clean my quiet study and have them copied out. I hope the treasured sword of Qingping and the green jade of Jielü will add to their value after being appreciated by Xue Zhu and Bian He. I would like to ask Your Excellency to show your concern for lowly people and open the door of appreciation wider. Your kind consideration is earnestly expected.

Translated by Jin Deming