Her tears are spent, but no dreams come.
She can hear the others singing through the night.
She has lost his love. Alone with her beauty,
She leans till dawn on her incense-pillow.
Original Poem:
「宫词」
白居易
泪湿罗巾梦不成，夜深前殿按歌声。
红颜未老恩先断，斜倚熏笼坐到明。
Interpretation:
This poem describes the sorrow of a palace lady who has fallen out of favor, portraying the cruelty and indifference of court life. Bai Juyi, with delicate brushstrokes, depicts her desolate situation and, through contrast, highlights the brutal reality of the fickle affections in the palace. This is not only a lament for an individual’s fate but also a subtle critique of the ruthless rule of feudal emperors.
First Couple: "泪湿罗巾梦不成，夜深前殿按歌声。"
Tears have soaked her silk handkerchief, and she tosses and turns, unable to sleep. In the distant front hall, the sound of songs and rhythmic clapping echoes, filled with laughter and joy.
These lines convey the palace lady’s boundless sorrow. While she spends the night in tears and sleepless anguish, the lively music from the front hall reminds her that the emperor is spending the night with a new favorite. This sharp contrast deepens her sense of loneliness and loss, painting a chilling picture of the palace at midnight.
Second Couple: "红颜未老恩先断，斜倚熏笼坐到明。"
Her youth and beauty remain, yet the emperor’s favor has long faded. Helpless, she leans against the incense burner and sits there until dawn.
These lines directly highlight the lady’s despair—though still young and beautiful, she has already been forgotten. This abrupt change from favor to neglect leaves her in hopeless longing, until finally, all she can do is sit by the incense burner for warmth, waiting alone for the morning. The coming of dawn symbolizes the shattering of her last illusions of regaining the emperor’s affection.
Writing Characteristics:
This poem skillfully employs contrast, juxtaposing the lady’s solitude with the joyous celebrations in the front hall, underscoring the cruelty of palace life. Bai Juyi’s detailed descriptions, such as “tears soaking the silk handkerchief” and “leaning against the incense burner,” vividly illustrate her misery, allowing readers to deeply empathize with her pain and sorrow. The emotions in the poem are profound yet restrained—though there is no direct complaint, every word carries a deep sense of lament, leaving a lasting impact.
Overall Appreciation:
This poem is not just the tragic lament of a forgotten palace lady; it is a microcosm of the feudal harem system. Favor is fleeting, and the fate of palace women is entirely dictated by the emperor’s whims. Yesterday’s affection quickly fades into loneliness and endless waiting. Through delicate and evocative imagery, Bai Juyi exposes the hypocrisy and cruelty of the imperial court and expresses deep sympathy for these abandoned women.
Insights:
This poem not only reveals the harsh reality of palace life but also reflects the impermanence of emotions in the world. Affection is often fleeting, and those who rely on external favor are destined to face loneliness and sorrow. The palace lady’s fate reminds us of life’s helplessness—many beautiful things fade with time, and only inner resilience can truly support us in facing a world full of uncertainties.
Poem translator:
Kiang Kanghu
About the poet:
Bai Juyi (白居易), 772-846 AD, was originally from Taiyuan, then moved to Weinan in Shaanxi. Bai Juyi was the most prolific poet of the Tang Dynasty, with poems in the categories of satirical oracles, idleness, sentimentality, and miscellaneous rhythms, and the most influential poet after Li Bai Du Fu.
