North of the Maiden's Islet, by the riverside,
The two princesses shed tears in attire dignified.
The temple faces the river in lonely spring.
What could the wordless monument amid grass sing?
At sunset blows the breeze among the clovers white;
The cuckoos cry in hills from moon-down till deep night.
The princesses seem to gaze on Nine Peaks in dream.
Where was buried their emperor beyond the stream.
Original Poem:
「黄陵庙」
李群玉
小姑洲北浦云边，二女容华自俨然。
野庙向江春寂寂，古碑无字草芊芊。
风回日暮吹芳芷，月落山深哭杜鹃。
犹似含颦望巡狩，九疑如黛隔湘川。
Interpretation:
According to the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Emperor Shun passed away during a southern inspection tour near Cangwu and was buried in the Jiuyi Mountains. Later legends added a tragic dimension to the tale, claiming that his wives, Ehuang and Nüying, followed him to the Xiang River. There, overwhelmed by grief, they wept bitterly, and some accounts suggest they drowned, becoming the River Spirits of the Xiang. In the third year of the Dazhong era (859 CE), the Tang poet Li Qinyu, wrongfully exiled from the capital, passed by the Huangling Temple on his way home. Moved by the scene, he wove the legend of the Xiang consorts into his poem, expressing his sorrow and personal grievances.
First Couple:“小姑洲北浦云边，二女容华自俨然。”
(Amid the mist surrounding Northbank Isle, the statues of the two consorts appear graceful and lifelike.)
The opening couplet introduces the temple’s location and its surroundings while describing the mournful elegance of the statues, setting the tone for the poem’s emotional depth.
Second Couple:“野庙向江春寂寂，古碑无字草芊芊。”
(The riverside temple lies in desolation under the spring sun, its faded inscriptions enveloped in wild vegetation.)
This couplet paints the temple’s decay and loneliness, reflecting the poet’s own melancholy.
Third Couple:“风回日暮吹芳芷，月落山深哭杜鹃。”
(The evening breeze sweeps across the riverbank, ruffling fragrant herbs, while the plaintive cries of cuckoos echo through the darkened hills.)
Here, natural imagery merges with the sorrowful legend of the Xiang consorts, intensifying the mournful atmosphere.
Fourth Couple:“犹似含颦望巡狩，九疑如黛隔湘川。”
(It is as if the sisters still longingly await Emperor Shun’s return, but the green peaks of Jiuyi remain an unyielding barrier, separating them across the Xiang.)
The final couplet evokes the sisters’ enduring devotion and unfulfilled hope, symbolizing both their tragedy and the poet’s own feelings of helplessness and isolation.
Writing Features:
- Tight Structure
The poem follows a clear progression, beginning with a distant view of the temple, transitioning to its interior, and culminating in reflections on the Xiang consorts’ legend. Each step deepens the emotional resonance. - Haunting Atmosphere
Through imagery of mist, faded steles, fragrant herbs, and cuckoo calls, the poem creates a sorrowful and timeless ambiance that mirrors the tragic legend. - Emotional Fusion
The poet intertwines his personal sorrow with the historical and mythical lament, blending natural description with human grief to create a poignant harmony. - Elegant and Fluid Language
The verses flow naturally, blending vivid natural scenery with a subtle and profound emotional depth.
Overall Analysis:
This poem uses the legend of the Xiang consorts as its foundation, blending the desolation of the temple with the poignancy of their tale to craft a deeply affecting piece. The poet vividly depicts the abandoned Huangling Temple and the lifelike statues of the consorts, before introducing the dynamic imagery of fragrant herbs and plaintive cuckoo cries to amplify the mournful tone. The closing lines, with their imagery of longing gazes and insurmountable barriers, encapsulate the tragedy of time’s passage and unfulfilled devotion. Through its fusion of personal grief, historical allusion, and natural description, the poem achieves a profound emotional resonance and artistic beauty.
Insights:
This poem reminds us that human emotions and historical stories transcend time. The Xiang consorts’ loyalty and sorrow not only embody ancient sentiments but also leave a lasting cultural legacy. The poet’s use of this legend to convey his own struggles illustrates the intersection of personal experience and broader historical reflection. The Xiang River legend celebrates enduring fidelity and love while serving as a poignant meditation on the inevitability of change and the fragility of human endeavor.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Li Qunyu (李群玉), 808 - 862 AD, was a native of Li Zhou in the Tang Dynasty. Li Qunyu was so talented that the emperor read his poems, praised them as “exceptionally elegant”, and gave him an official position.
