Tis said there is a fairyland over the sea.
When this life is no more, can there another be?
In vain the watchman beat at night the warning gong;
No cock would wake her from dream with morning song.
The six armies demanded her death left and right.
Could she still laugh at severed lover-stars at night?
Though the emperor reigned as long as forty years,
She's not so happy as a griefless maid appears.
Original Poem:
「马嵬二首 · 其二」
李商隐
海外徒闻更九州，他生未卜此生休。
空闻虎旅传宵柝，无复鸡人报晓筹。
此日六军同驻马，当时七夕笑牵牛。
如何四纪为天子，不及卢家有莫愁。
Interpretation:
This poem was written during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang dynasty. Li Shangyin lived in the late Tang period, an era marked by the decline of the empire. In 755, the An Lushan Rebellion caused political turmoil and immense suffering for the people. Li Shangyin was deeply moved by the political corruption and the emperor's negligence, which is reflected in this poem. The poem criticizes Emperor Xuanzong’s indulgence in decadence and his neglect of state affairs. Through the comparison of historical events and the current state of affairs, it reveals the stark contrast between the emperor and the common people, particularly the Lu family, and expresses the poet's deep dissatisfaction with the ruler’s disregard for the people's welfare and political decay.
First Couplet: “海外徒闻更九州，他生未卜此生休。”
(The rumors of the immortals finding Yang Guifei in the distant land are just idle tales, for the truth is that the relationship between the emperor and his consort is beyond hope, both in life and death.)
The poet uses the phrase "徒闻" (only hearing) to dismiss the legend of Yang Guifei's resurrection, subtly implying that Emperor Xuanzong's longing for her is futile. Even though immortals claim that Yang Guifei waits for a reunion in the immortal realm, all expectations of rekindling their bond have come to nothing, whether in this life or the next.
Second Couplet: “空闻虎旅传宵柝，无复鸡人报晓筹。”
“Only hearing the call of the night watchmen in the tiger camp, with no rooster crowing to announce the dawn anymore.”
The sound of the night watchmen in the military camp is the only thing left to hear, for there is no longer the joyful sound of the rooster crowing in the palace at dawn.
The phrase “空闻” (only hearing) suggests that memories of the past, when the emperor's court was peaceful, are now empty and distant. The contrast between the “night watchmen” and the “rooster crowing” reflects the disorder and suffering caused by the An Lushan Rebellion, which has transformed the once-peaceful palace into a chaotic place, illustrating the emperor’s loss of control over his administration.
Third Couplet:“此日六军同驻马，当时七夕笑牵牛。”
“On this day, the six armies are stationed, while in the past during the Qixi Festival, we laughed together under the stars, pledging never to part.”
This day sees the army’s encampment, yet I recall the time of sweet vows with you during the Qixi Festival, when we promised to never be separated.
The contrast between “this day” and “in the past” is striking. Through recalling the Qixi Festival vows made between Yang Guifei and Emperor Xuanzong, the poet reveals how the emperor neglected state affairs, indulged in his desires, and allowed the country to decline. The contrast between the once-sweet promises and the current irreversible loss emphasizes regret and the unfeeling nature of history.
Final Couplet:“如何四纪为天子，不及卢家有莫愁。”
“How could you, a monarch for forty years, be less fortunate than the Lu family, who could keep their beloved wife, Mo Chou?”
How is it that, after being emperor for forty years, you are less successful than an ordinary man from the Lu family, who can keep his wife, Mo Chou, in peace?
This line delivers a powerful critique by comparing the emperor’s failure to maintain his relationship with Yang Guifei to the stability of a common family. The question, laden with sarcasm, exposes Emperor Xuanzong’s political incompetence and selfish indulgence, as well as Li Shangyin's disappointment and anger toward the ruler and the societal situation.
Writing Features:
Li Shangyin employs contrast and rhetorical questioning to deeply reveal the emperor's indulgent and irresponsible rule. By beginning with the dismissal of the legend of Yang Guifei's resurrection (“徒闻”), followed by the contrast between the night watchmen’s call and the rooster’s crowing, the poet illustrates the turmoil and decline of the Tang dynasty. The poet uses historical comparisons, such as the Qixi Festival and the Lu family’s happiness, to emphasize the sharp contrast between Emperor Xuanzong’s neglect of his duties and the simplicity of the common people’s contentment. The poem highlights the corruption and failure of the emperor and the social injustice of the time.
Overall Appreciation:
This poem is a strong critique of Emperor Xuanzong’s neglect of state affairs and indulgence in personal desires. By comparing historical events and the present reality, the poem reveals the decline of the empire and the emperor’s ineffectiveness. The poet constructs a stark contrast through the dismissal of rumors about Yang Guifei, the description of the night watchmen, and the recollection of the Qixi Festival vows. The final couplet contrasts the happiness of the Lu family with the emperor’s inability to retain Yang Guifei, reflecting the social injustice and the emperor’s self-serving nature. The poem carries a strong sense of sarcasm and serves as both a critique of the emperor’s reign and a warning about the dangers of neglecting the welfare of the people.
Insights:
This poem reminds us that the success or failure of a ruler is not just determined by the length of their reign but also by their ability to govern wisely and maintain stability. Li Shangyin's depiction of Emperor Xuanzong’s failure to fulfill his duties contrasts with the stability of an ordinary family, illustrating the importance of ethical leadership and the deep connection between personal and political responsibility. This serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of neglecting one's duties for personal indulgence and highlights the broader societal consequences of such actions.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Li Shangyin (李商隐), 813-858 AD, was a great poet of the late Tang Dynasty. His poems were on a par with those of Du Mu, and he was known as "Little Li Du". Li Shangyin was a native of Qinyang, Jiaozuo City, Henan Province. When he was a teenager, he lost his father at the age of nine, and was called "Zheshui East and West, half a century of wandering".
