Having to travel back now from this far place,
I dismount beside your lonely tomb.
The ground where i stand is wet with my tears;
The sky is dark with broken clouds...
I who played chess with the great premier
Am bringing to my lord the dagger he desired.
But i find only petals falling down,
I hear only linnets answering.
Original Poem:
「别房太尉墓」
杜甫
他乡复行役， 驻马别孤坟。
近泪无乾土， 低空有断云。
对棋陪谢傅， 把剑觅徐君。
唯见林花落， 莺啼送客闻。
Interpretation:
This poem was composed by Du Fu in front of the tomb of Fang Guan as an elegy. Fang Guan, once a close friend of Du Fu and a former Minister of Justice, faced an unfortunate official career and ultimately passed away in a foreign land, buried outside Langzhou. As Du Fu passed by this place, he made a special visit to pay homage to his old friend's lonely grave, expressing his deep sorrow. The poem, written in a solemn and melancholic tone, conveys the poet’s lament over Fang Guan’s turbulent life and his sigh over the impermanence of the world.
First Couplet: “他乡复行役，驻马别孤坟。”
In a foreign land, I must journey on once more, yet I halt my horse to bid farewell to my friend’s lonely grave.
The opening couplet reveals the poet's wandering life and his profound friendship with the deceased. The word “复” (again) highlights Du Fu’s helplessness in his endless travels, while “孤坟” (lonely grave) alludes to Fang Guan’s hardships and solitude, setting the tone of sorrow and grief for the entire poem.
Second Couplet: “近泪无干土，低空有断云。”
As I weep before the grave, my tears soak the earth; lifting my gaze, I see broken clouds drifting in the low sky.
This couplet vividly portrays the poet's sorrow through the imagery of tears dampening the soil. The mention of “low sky” and “broken clouds” further enhances the atmosphere of desolation. The contrast between human emotions and the indifferent vastness of nature underscores the poet’s overwhelming grief.
Third Couplet: “对棋陪谢傅，把剑觅徐君。”
We once played chess and conversed like the refined Xie An; now I wish to offer my sword, but alas, Xu Jun is no more.
These lines employ historical allusions. Xie An’s composed demeanor suggests Fang Guan’s noble character despite political misfortunes, while Wu Zixu’s legendary act of hanging his sword on Xu Jun’s grave conveys the poet’s deep respect and mourning. Through these references, the poem gains an added depth of sentiment and historical resonance.
Fourth Couplet: “唯见林花落，莺啼送客闻。”
Only the falling blossoms seem to mourn for my friend; the singing orioles bid me farewell as I depart.
The closing couplet uses natural imagery to reinforce the sense of sorrow. The falling flowers symbolize the fleeting nature of life, while the oriole’s song serves as a silent lament. These elements create a melancholic yet poetic ending, embodying the poet’s grief and his quiet farewell to his friend.
Overall Appreciation
This poem, set against the backdrop of Du Fu’s visit to his friend’s tomb, conveys his deep grief and remembrance. Beginning with his own journey, he then shifts to describing the sorrowful scene at the grave, employs historical allusions to illustrate their friendship, and finally concludes with the imagery of falling blossoms and singing birds. This gradual progression intensifies the emotional depth of the poem. The language, though simple, carries profound sentiments, reflecting Du Fu’s loyalty and deep bond with his friend while also mirroring his own sense of solitude and helplessness.
Writing Characteristics
- Fusion of Emotion and Scenery: The imagery in lines like “近泪无干土” (tears soak the earth) and “莺啼送客闻” (the oriole sings a farewell) seamlessly intertwines the poet’s sorrow with natural elements, making the emotions more vivid and immersive.
- Subtle Use of Historical Allusions: By referencing figures such as Xie An and Xu Jun, the poem not only gains literary depth but also enhances the expression of the poet’s grief in an implicit and refined manner.
- Gradual Emotional Progression: The poem moves from the poet’s travels to his mourning at the grave, then to reminiscing about the past, and finally to nature’s silent lament, creating a smooth and powerful emotional buildup.
- Solemn and Poignant Tone: The poem’s melancholic yet restrained language, along with its slow, rhythmic flow, embodies Du Fu’s signature style of deep sorrow and reflection.
Insights
In Farewell at Minister Fang’s Tomb, Du Fu expresses his profound mourning for his lost friend while also contemplating the fleeting nature of life. Though the imagery is bleak, the emotions conveyed are intensely sincere, highlighting the poet’s deep sense of loyalty and grief. Life and death are inevitable, yet Du Fu immortalizes his friendship through poetry, ensuring that the spirit of the deceased lives on. This heartfelt connection and the poetic elegance of his tribute allow future generations to experience the Poet Sage’s sincerity and sorrow.
Poem translator:
Kiang Kanghu
About the poet
Du Fu (杜甫), 712 - 770 AD, was a great poet of the Tang Dynasty, known as the "Sage of Poetry". Born into a declining bureaucratic family, Du Fu had a rough life, and his turbulent and dislocated life made him keenly aware of the plight of the masses. Therefore, his poems were always closely related to the current affairs, reflecting the social life of that era in a more comprehensive way, with profound thoughts and a broad realm. In his poetic art, he was able to combine many styles, forming a unique style of "profound and thick", and becoming a great realist poet in the history of China.
