His golden arrow is tipped with hawk's feathers,
His embroidered silk flag has a tail like a swallow.
One man, arising, gives a new order
To the answering shout of a thousand tents.
Original Poem:
「塞下曲 · 其一」
卢纶
鹫翎金仆姑， 燕尾绣蝥弧。
独立扬新令， 千营共一呼。
Interpretation:
This is the first poem of the whole group, singing about the scenery of the border fortress and describing the spectacular scene when the general is issuing the trumpet.
In the first two lines, the general is wearing a golden maiden's arrow made of eagle's feathers, and the flag is tied with a swallow-tailed ribbon of bright colors.
The arrows are tied with the feathers of a big eagle, and the banner is decorated with brocade ribbons. With the strict contrast, carefully portrayed the general's majestic and athletic image.
The last two lines: the general stood majestically and gave orders, thousands of troops and horses responded to the call to move the earth and shock the sky.
Write the general with a resounding voice, issued a new battle cry, banner under the millions of soldiers responded in unison. Write to issue a new order. The general stood firm and independent, only the command flag gently raised, that stood in front of him a thousand battalions of soldiers, they shouted in unison, the sound of the majestic shouts resonated through the clouds, shaking the four fields, showing the magnificent military might.
This poem so describes the scene so magnificent, the sound of such a great work, not rare, in a very small number of words, encompasses a very rich content, and
It shows a powerful force.
Poem translator:
Kiang Kanghu
About the poet:
Lu Lun (卢纶), 748 - 798 A.D., was a native of Yongji, Shanxi Province, and was one of the "Ten Scholarly Men of the Dali Dynasty". Lu Lun was a judge of the Marshal's Office in Hezhong, and he served as the inspector of the Ministry of Revenue. His poems were more eloquent and liberal, with many works of farewells and rewards, as well as works reflecting the life of soldiers. Five volumes of his poems are recorded in Quan Tang Shi (All Tang Poems).
