At dusk with eastern shore in view,
I stroll but know not where to go.
Tree on tree tinted with autumn hue,
Hill on hill steeped in sunset glow.
The shepherd drives his herd homebound;
The hunter loads his horse with game .
There is no connoisseur around;
I can but sing of hermits' name.
Original Poem:
「野望」
王绩
东皋薄暮望，徙倚欲何依。
树树皆秋色，山山唯落晖。
牧人驱犊返，猎马带禽归。
相顾无相识，长歌怀采薇。
Interpretation:
This is a five-character regulated verse that depicts the autumn landscape of the mountains and fields. Its simple and fresh language injects a unique breeze into the early Tang poetry world and is one of Wang Ji's representative works.
First Couplets: Emotional Setup
"Standing on Dong Gao at dusk, I wander and hesitate, unsure where to lean."
The opening lines mainly express emotions. The poet stands on Dong Gao and gazes at the fading twilight, feeling indecisive and lost. This sense of wandering and uncertainty sets the tone of loneliness and desolation for the entire poem. Through simple narration, the poet’s inner solitude blends with the surrounding dusk, creating a fusion of emotional and visual atmosphere, which paves the way for the following scenic description.
Second Couplets: Depicting the Quiet Scene
"Every tree is dyed with the color of autumn, and the mountains are bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun."
These lines offer a broad and sweeping depiction of the mountain landscape at dusk. The trees are covered with golden autumn hues, while the mountains are enveloped in the soft light of the setting sun. The poet uses the repetition of “shu shu” (trees) and “shan shan” (mountains) to show the vastness and tranquility of the landscape. The color and the light of the scene are in perfect harmony, creating a peaceful and beautiful picture. Even as the twilight deepens, the brightness of the scene remains vibrant, giving a sense of depth and serenity.
Third Couplets: Adding Movement to the Scene
"The shepherd drives the calves home, and the hunter returns with game on horseback."
The poet shifts from the stillness of the landscape to a depiction of movement. The shepherd drives the calves home, while the hunter returns with his catch. The use of dynamic verbs like "qu" (drive), "fan" (return), "dai" (bring), and "gui" (return) is natural and precise, bringing the scene to life. The movement injects vitality into the otherwise tranquil landscape, and the blend of stillness and movement creates a harmonious and poetic atmosphere.
Final Couplets: Expressing Personal Feelings
"We look at each other but remain strangers, I sing aloud, longing for the secluded life of picking fern."
The last two lines transition into the poet’s inner world, expressing his loneliness and confusion. The poet looks at the shepherd and the hunter, but they remain strangers, and he feels a deep sense of alienation. As a result, he sings aloud, recalling the ancient figure of Bo Yi and Shu Qi, who withdrew from the world to pick ferns in the mountains. "Cai Wei" (picking ferns) is a reference to a story in the Book of Songs, symbolizing the high-mindedness of recluses, and here it reflects the poet’s desire to escape the mundane world and embrace a life of solitude.
Overall Appreciation
The poem begins and ends with emotional expressions, while the middle part focuses on the depiction of the landscape, creating a seamless blend of emotion and scenery. Through the portrayal of autumn scenes, the poet conveys his feelings of solitude and confusion, intertwining these emotions with the expansive autumn landscape, resulting in a perfect integration of mood and imagery.
The language of the poem is simple, fresh, and natural, breaking free from the ornate and exaggerated style of the Six Dynasties poetry. It also paves the way for innovations in Tang poetry. Despite the simplicity, the poem carries profound emotions and thoughts, expressing both the poet's yearning for an ideal life of seclusion and his disappointment and helplessness with reality. The poem’s subtle and enduring emotional depth leaves a lasting impression, inviting readers to reflect on its meaning.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Wang Jie (王绩), circa 589 - 644 AD, a poet of the Tang dynasty, courtesy name Wugong and sobriquet Donggaozi, was a native of Wannong, Shanxi. Known for his aloof and straightforward nature and fondness for wine, his poetry is characterized by its sincerity, naturalness, and lofty, free-spirited style.
