Encomium of Taam Sui Pui by 賴際熙 (Lai Jixi, 1865–1937)

Encomium of Taam Sui Pui by 賴際熙 (Lai Jixi, 1865–1937)

仕沛仁兄先生真贊

卓哉此翁 藹然有容 其志則壯 其氣則雄

操猗頓之術 乘宗愨之風

周歷海國 攻寶林金穴 而克奏其功

身益勞而心益泰 業日盛而德日崇

資富能訓 立良規懿夏 傳之無窮

瞻雍雍之辭色 識落落之淵衷

高山仰止 景行行止咸知所宗

增城賴際熙題撰

True Encomium for Elder Brother Sze Pui

Outstanding is this venerable man, amiable and tolerant. His ambition is strong, his spirit is heroic. Practicing the mercantile arts of Yidun [the ancient magnate], riding the wind of Zongque [the adventurer-general]. He travelled the maritime countries, attacked the treasure-forest gold mines, and successfully achieved his merit. His body grew more toiled but his mind more tranquil; his enterprise daily prospered and his virtue daily exalted. Being wealthy yet able to teach, he established good rules and fine norms to transmit without end. Beholding his dignified speech and countenance, one recognizes his broad and deep inner heart. Like the high mountain one looks up to, like the great way one follows — all know what to revere.

Written by Lai Chi Hei of Zengcheng[1]

[1] 賴際熙 (Lai Jixi, 1865–1937) was a noted Cantonese scholar and educator from Zengcheng, later active in Hong Kong. The term 題撰 (tai-syun) is a formal literary byline meaning he was asked to write and inscribe this encomium.