Zhuge's prestige transcends the earth;
There is only reverence for his face;
Yet his will, among the Three Kingdoms at war,
Was only as one feather against a flaming sky.
He was brother of men like Yi and Lu
And in time would have surpassed the greatest of all statesmen.
Though he knew there was no hope for the House of Han,
Yet he wielded his mind for it, yielded his life.
Original Poem:
「咏怀古迹 · 其五」
杜甫
诸葛大名垂宇宙，宗臣遣像肃清高。
三分割据纡筹策，万古云霄一羽毛。
伯仲之间见伊吕，指挥若定失萧曹。
运移汉祚终难复，志决身歼军务劳。
Interpretation:
This is a poem written in praise of Zhuge Liang by the poet who visited the Wuhou Ancestral Shrine in Kui Zhou.
The poet first writes with enthusiasm about the influence of Zhuge Liang, whose “great name hangs over the universe”, i.e., his fame shook the world and was famous overseas. Then write into the temple to see Zhuge Liang’s impression: a generation of important ministers, high style, solemn and noble, so that people feel admiration.
Poet from the feelings of admiration to Zhuge Liang’s cause of praise. Zhuge Liang assisted Liu Bei, although in a disadvantageous position, but used all the stratagems and strategies to complete the design of the “Longzhong Pair”, occupy Jingzhou, Yizhou, with Cao Cao, Sun Quan three worlds, forming Shu, Wei, Wu tripod situation. His outstanding career was like a luan and phoenix soaring high above the clouds. It is really admirable for thousands of years! If the previous couplet is on the space, this couplet is on the time and language, fully affirmed the greatness of Zhuge Liang created!
Then specifically discuss Zhuge Liang’s virtues and achievements. His virtues and talents and auxiliary Cheng Tang Yi Yin and auxiliary Zhou Wen Wang, Zhou Wu Wang Lu Shang is not comparable, its founding of the country can be compared to their beauty. This is in terms of civil governance. In terms of martial arts, assisting Liu Bang to level Xiang Yu, the establishment of the Han Dynasty, the elimination of the vassal kings of different surnames of Xiao He, Cao Sen, Zhuge Liang’s command of the talent than they are much more brilliant. In front of Zhuge Liang, Xiao He and Cao Sen can only be eclipsed. The poet compares the four ancients, showing his great admiration for Zhuge Liang!
Finally, the poet to regret the tone, pointed out that Zhuge Liang help Han to destroy Wei, Wu’s fundamental plan, is to know that “can not be and for the” cause, despite the efforts of his life, but the sky is not with the Han, back to the Han dynasty is difficult to succeed, he himself because of the military affairs of the difficult and fatigued, died on the journey. This is Zhuge Liang’s unfulfilled ambition lament.
The whole poem is called the memory of monuments, actually discuss Zhuge Liang’s personality, but the discussion is not empty, thesis but with feelings, layer by layer, waves and waves, love blaze gas ho, touching.
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.
