Before we part we've drunk for many days
And visited all the scenic spots and ways.
When at the Stone Gate shall we meet and drain
Our brimming golden cups of wine again?
The autumn waves of River Si still flow;
The seaside mountains stand in morning glow.
You'll go away as thistledown will fly.
So let us fill our cups and drink them dry.
Original Poem:
「鲁郡东石门送杜二甫」
李白
醉别复几日，登临遍池台。
何时石门路，重有金樽开。
秋波落泗水，海色明徂徕。
飞蓬各自远，且尽手中杯。
Interpretation:
This poem was written in the autumn of the fourth year of the Tianbao era (745 AD) during the Tang Dynasty. Li Bai had left Chang’an in the third year of Tianbao (744 AD) after being granted gold to return to the mountains. He began traveling through regions like Liang and Song (modern-day Kaifeng and Shangqiu in Henan). At this time, Li Bai and Du Fu parted ways in Lu Jun (modern-day Qufu, Shandong). Du Fu was traveling to Zhengzhou and Liangyuan (modern-day Shangqiu) due to the death of his grandmother, while Li Bai continued his journey toward the Jiangdong area. Before their parting, Li Bai wrote this poem to express his deep friendship and reluctance to say goodbye.
First Stanza: Expressing the Joy of Drinking
醉别复几日，登临遍池台。
(After parting in drunken joy, I climb and wander across the terraces.)
Li Bai opens with the phrase "drunken farewell," expressing his bold and carefree attitude toward their impending separation. After visiting many famous sights, he decides to part with his friend in an exuberant and wholehearted manner.
Second Stanza: Expressing the Hope for Reunion
何时石门路，重有金樽开。
(When will we travel the Stone Gate road again and open the golden goblet for another round of drinking?)
In this line, Li Bai expresses his hope to reunite with his friends at some future time, sharing another joyful drinking session as they had in the past. The Stone Gate mountain was a frequent spot for the two poets, and the use of "again" indicates his anticipation of reuniting, while subtly highlighting their shared passion for the same lifestyle.
Third Stanza: Depicting the Autumn Scenery and Conveying Emotions
秋波落泗水，海色明徂徕。
(Autumn waves flow to the Si River, and the sea's color reflects on the mountains of Culai.)
Li Bai uses the imagery of "autumn waves" and the "sea's color" to showcase the beauty of the autumn scenery. The vivid colors of the Culai mountains and the clear waters of the Si River are complemented by the word "bright," infusing life and movement into the landscape.
Fourth Stanza: Toasting to Farewell and Expressing Bold Emotions
飞蓬各自远，且尽手中杯。
(The flying weeds drift far, and we should finish the wine in our cups.)
Here, Li Bai uses the metaphor of "flying weeds" to describe the departure of his friends, symbolizing their separation. In this moment, he chooses to express his emotions with a drink, signifying his deep appreciation for friendship and his bold, carefree approach to parting.
Literary Features
- Fusion of Scenery and Emotion
In the poem, Li Bai links natural imagery such as autumn waves and mountain colors to his emotions, seamlessly blending scenery with sentiment. The landscape reflects his feelings, with images of the autumn scenery carrying the emotional weight of farewell. - Bold and Direct Language
Li Bai’s poetic style is bold and straightforward, with a natural flow and an optimistic tone. Phrases like "drunken farewell" and "let’s finish the wine in our cups" highlight his carefree, optimistic, and open-hearted personality. - Wine and Friendship
The core of the poem lies in the friendship between Li Bai and Du Fu, both of whom share an appreciation for nature and drinking. The imagery of "golden goblets" and "cups" ties the themes of wine and friendship closely together. - Concise Yet Expressive
Li Bai conveys complex emotions through simple and vivid language. Despite the poem’s brevity, it effectively captures the intensity of parting and the depth of friendship.
Overall Analysis
"Drunken Farewell" is a poem rich in emotion and fresh in imagery. Li Bai uses a combination of natural landscapes and emotional expression to convey the exuberance and sadness of parting from a friend. The vivid descriptions of the scenery are rhythmic, and the fusion of people and nature makes the poem visually striking. Through concise yet expressive language, Li Bai communicates the strength of their friendship and his optimistic outlook. The poem avoids excessive sadness or lingering sorrow, instead using the themes of drinking and a joyful farewell to express a bold and passionate parting, creating an atmosphere filled with vitality and hope.
Inspiration
This poem encourages us to face separations with an open and optimistic attitude, embracing the farewell with boldness and joy rather than dwelling on sadness. It reminds us to cherish friendship, maintain brightness and hope in our hearts, and approach life’s uncertainties with confidence and composure. Li Bai’s example in this poem offers a positive attitude toward challenges and difficult circumstances, showing us how to face life’s transient nature with strength and clarity.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong(许渊冲)
About the poet:
Li Bai (李白), 701 ~ 762 A.D., whose ancestral home was in Gansu, was preceded by Li Guang, a general of the Han Dynasty. Tang poetry is one of the brightest constellations in the history of Chinese literature, and one of the brightest stars is Li Bai.
