I am sad. My thoughts are in Yo-chou.
I would hurry there—but I am sick in bed.
…Beauty would be facing me across the autumn waters.
Oh, to wash my feet in Lake Tung-t'ing and see at its eight corners
Wildgeese flying high, sun and moon both white,
Green maples changing to red in the frosty sky,
Angels bound for the Capital of Heaven, near the North Star,
Riding, some of them phœnixes, and others unicorns,
With banners of hibiscus and with melodies of mist,
Their shadows dancing upside-down in the southern rivers,
Till the Queen of the Stars, drowsy with her nectar,
Would forget the winged men on either side of her!
…From the Wizard of the Red Pine this word has come for me:
That after his earlier follower he has now a new disciple
Who, formerly at the capital as Emperor Liu's adviser,
In spite of great successes, never could be happy.
…What are a country's rise and fall?
Can flesh-pots be as fragrant as mountain fruit?…
I grieve that he is lost far away in the south.
May the star of long life accord him its blessing!
…O purity, to seize you from beyond the autumn waters
And to place you as an offering in the Court of Imperial Jade.
Original Poem:
「寄韩谏议注」
杜甫
今我不乐思岳阳， 身欲奋飞病在床。
美人娟娟隔秋水， 濯足洞庭望八荒。
鸿飞冥冥日月白， 青枫叶赤天雨霜。
玉京群帝集北斗， 或骑麒麟翳凤凰。
芙蓉旌旗烟雾落， 影动倒景摇潇湘。
星宫之君醉琼浆， 羽人稀少不在旁。
似闻昨者赤松子， 恐是汉代韩张良；
昔随刘氏定长安， 帷幄未改神惨伤。
国家成败吾岂敢？ 色难腥腐餐枫香。
周南留滞古所惜， 南极老人应寿昌。
美人胡为隔秋水？ 焉得置之贡玉堂。
Interpretation:
"To Han the Adviser" was composed in 767 AD, during Du Fu's stay in Kuizhou (present-day Fengjie, Chongqing). At the time, Du Fu was ill and adrift, yet he remained deeply concerned about the state of the nation. He felt great sympathy for Han the Adviser, who, like himself, was talented but unrecognized and neglected. Through metaphors of immortals and symbolic imagery, the poet expresses his worries for the country and his lament for the unrecognized talents of virtuous scholars.
First Couplet: "今我不乐思岳阳，身欲奋飞病在床。"
Jīn wǒ bù lè sī Yuèyáng, shēn yù fèn fēi bìng zài chuáng.
Now, I am filled with melancholy, longing for my friend in Yueyang. Though I wish to rise and visit, illness confines me to my bed.
This couplet directly expresses the poet's deep longing for his friend and his own physical limitations, conveying genuine emotion.
Second Couplet: "美人娟娟隔秋水，濯足洞庭望八荒。"
Měirén juānjuān gé qiūshuǐ, zhuó zú Dòngtíng wàng bāhuāng.
The noble scholar (Han the Adviser) stands gracefully beyond the autumn waters, washing his feet in Dongting Lake, gazing at the vast world.
Here, "noble scholar" metaphorically refers to Han the Adviser, praising his character. Though in seclusion, Han's vision remains broad, his heart still concerned with the world.
Third Couplet: "鸿飞冥冥日月白，青枫叶赤天雨霜。"
Hóng fēi míngmíng rìyuè bái, qīng fēng yè chì tiān yǔ shuāng.
The wild goose flies into the distant void, the sun and moon pale; the green maples turn red, and frost fills the sky.
The wild goose symbolizes Han's transcendence of worldly affairs, while the imagery of pale sun and moon, red maples, and frost creates a desolate atmosphere, reflecting the turmoil of the times and Han's solitary nobility.
Fourth Couplet: "玉京群帝集北斗，或骑麒麟翳凤凰。"
Yù jīng qún dì jí Běidǒu, huò qí qílín yì fènghuáng.
In the celestial court, the powerful gather around the emperor, some riding unicorns, others phoenixes, all vying for favor.
Using the imagery of immortals, the poet satirizes the court's sycophants and the ostentatious display of power, expressing dissatisfaction with the neglect of virtuous scholars.
Fifth Couplet: "芙蓉旌旗烟雾落，影动倒景摇潇湘。"
Fúróng jīngqí yānwù luò, yǐng dòng dào jǐng yáo Xiāoxiāng.
The lotus-decorated banners fall amidst the mist, their reflections rippling on the waters of Xiaoxiang.
The grandeur of the powerful is depicted as illusory and fleeting, hinting at the instability of the times and the decline of governance.
Sixth Couplet: "星宫之君醉琼浆，羽人稀少不在旁。"
Xīng gōng zhī jūn zuì qióng jiāng, yǔ rén xīshǎo bù zài páng.
The lords of the celestial palace are drunk on fine wine, while the true immortals are few and far from their side.
The "celestial palace" refers to the court, lamenting the absence of virtuous scholars and the prevalence of mediocrity.
Seventh Couplet: "似闻昨者赤松子，恐是汉代韩张良。"
Sì wén zuó zhě Chìsōngzǐ, kǒng shì Hàn dài Hán Zhāngliáng.
I hear that someone like Chisongzi has recently retreated to the mountains, perhaps someone like Han Zhangliang of the Han Dynasty.
Du Fu alludes to Chisongzi and Zhangliang, subtly suggesting that Han the Adviser, like these historical figures, is a capable minister now neglected.
Eighth Couplet: "昔随刘氏定长安，帷幄未改神惨伤。"
Xī suí Liú shì dìng Cháng'ān, wéiwò wèi gǎi shén cǎn shāng.
In the past, he helped Emperor Suzong stabilize Chang'an, strategizing from the command tent; yet now, though the court remains, his spirit is wounded and sorrowful.
This couplet recounts Han's past contributions and his current neglect, expressing Du Fu's regret over the unrecognized talents of virtuous scholars.
Ninth Couplet: "国家成败吾岂敢？色难腥腐餐枫香。"
Guójiā chéngbài wú qǐ gǎn? Sè nán xīng fǔ cān fēng xiāng.
How could I dare forget the fate of the nation? Yet the court's corruption is unbearable, and I must retreat to the mountains, nourishing myself with the fragrance of maples.
This couplet highlights Han's refusal to compromise with corruption while also expressing Du Fu's deep sorrow over the political environment.
Tenth Couplet: "周南留滞古所惜，南极老人应寿昌。"
Zhōu Nán liúzhì gǔ suǒ xī, Nánjí lǎorén yīng shòu chāng.
Like the neglected scholars of the "Zhou Nan," your plight is lamentable; yet, like the South Pole Star, you should enjoy longevity and peace.
The poet uses the "Zhou Nan" to symbolize Han's plight, wishing him health and longevity, demonstrating deep friendship and respect.
Eleventh Couplet: "美人胡为隔秋水？焉得置之贡玉堂。"
Měirén hú wéi gé qiūshuǐ? Yān dé zhì zhī gòng yù táng.
Why must the noble scholar remain beyond the autumn waters? He should be summoned to the court to serve the nation.
Du Fu directly expresses his hope that Han will return to the court and fully utilize his talents.
Overall Appreciation
This poem uses the imagery of immortals to metaphorically critique the political reality of the time. The poet moves from longing for Han the Adviser to praising him and finally expressing hope for his return to court. The emotional depth and sincerity of the poem are evident throughout. Du Fu repeatedly uses "noble scholar" to refer to Han and symbols like the wild goose, Chisongzi, and Zhangliang to represent the retreat of virtuous individuals, fully conveying his concerns for the nation and his respect for loyal and capable scholars.
Writing Characteristics
- Symbolic Imagery, Profound Meaning: The poet uses celestial imagery (jade capital, immortals, fine wine) to metaphorically represent the court, while "noble scholar" and "wild goose" symbolize Han the Adviser, creating a layered and profound narrative.
- Appropriate Allusions, Lingering Resonance: The poem incorporates allusions to Chisongzi, Zhangliang, and the "Zhou Nan," enriching its historical depth and enhancing its melancholic tone.
- Sincere Emotion, Layered Progression: The poem begins with longing for a friend, transitions to reflections on the times, and concludes with hopes for Han's return, building emotional intensity and depth.
Insights
Through Han the Adviser's plight, Du Fu reflects the societal reality of virtuous scholars being neglected while mediocrity prevails. The poet deeply expresses his concerns for the nation and his reverence for capable individuals. This poem reminds us that truly talented and virtuous individuals are often overlooked, and society and the nation must learn to recognize and cherish such talents. Only then can we avoid the tragedy of mediocrity undermining the state.
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.
