I make a tour delighted in this good land;
The royal grace precedes us like heaven's way.
An oil-like cloud darkens the imperial way;
The fat rain makes the fields of duke moistened.
The wheatfields, wet, look greener than before;
The mountain flowers, washed, blaze with new light.
To farm the fields is what we think the most;
We're glad to see a harvest year in sight.
Original Poem
「发营逢雨应诏」
虞世南
豫游欣胜地，皇泽乃先天。
油云阴御道，膏雨润公田。
陇麦沾逾翠，山花湿更然。
稼穑良所重，方复悦丰年。
Interpretation
This poem is an occasional work composed by imperial command. The Tang Dynasty placed great importance on agriculture, particularly during Emperor Taizong's reign, and often used court poetry to celebrate timely rain and the prospect of a bountiful harvest. Written during a military march, the poet encounters rain and uses the scenery to express praise for the beneficial rainfall while also conveying gratitude for the emperor's virtue and anticipation of a good harvest.
First Couplet: "豫游欣胜地，皇泽乃先天。"
Yù yóu xīn shèng dì, huáng zé nǎi xiān tiān.
While traveling, I delight in this auspicious place;
The emperor's favor aligns with heavenly will.
This couplet sets the time and situation: the poet encounters rain during his journey, turning it into an "auspicious place." It connects the natural rain with "imperial favor," suggesting the rainfall results from the harmony between heaven and the emperor's virtue, highlighting the atmosphere of a prosperous era.
Second Couplet: "油云阴御道，膏雨润公田。"
Yóu yún yīn yù dào, gāo yǔ rùn gōng tián.
Thick clouds shade the imperial path;
Nourishing rain moistens the public fields.
"Thick clouds" describe the dense rain clouds; "imperial path" refers to the road used by the emperor; "nourishing rain" signifies beneficial rain that nurtures all things. This couplet juxtaposes the imperial road with farmland, showing the auspicious response to the emperor's journey and emphasizing the rain's benefit to the people's livelihood.
Third Couplet: "陇麦沾逾翠，山花湿更然。"
Lǒng mài zhān yú cuì, shān huā shī gèng rán.
Rain-drenched wheat on the ridges appears greener;
Moistened mountain blooms look even brighter.
These lines offer concrete description: crops and flowers display fresh vitality after the rain. The poet mentions agricultural produce (wheat) and natural scenery (mountain flowers), balancing farming and landscape to create a vibrant picture.
Fourth Couplet: "稼穑良所重，方复悦丰年。"
Jià sè liáng suǒ zhòng, fāng fù yuè fēng nián.
Agriculture is truly of great importance;
Now we rejoice again in the prospect of a bumper year.
The conclusion directly states the theme: agriculture is the state's foundation, and timely rain promises a good harvest. Ending with "rejoice in the prospect of a bumper year" expresses both the subject's praise for the nation's prosperity and implies the vision of people's peaceful life.
Holistic Appreciation
Though brief, this twenty-character poem is complete in conception and coherent in flow. It begins with the harmony between heaven and man, indicating the rain results from imperial virtue; then describes the moistening rain, reaching from the court to the fields; next depicts the luxuriance of crops and flowers, unfolding layer by layer; finally emphasizes the importance of agriculture, concluding with the political message that "farming is the foundation of the world." The language is simple yet profound, containing both fresh natural imagery and the dual significance of praising the emperor and caring for the people.
Artistic Merits
- Distinct Occasional Features: The correspondence between rain and imperial favor reflects the concept of interaction between heaven and man.
- Progressive Imagery: From thick clouds and nourishing rain to crops and mountain flowers, the imagery is clear and dynamic.
- Balancing Politics and Nature: It addresses agriculture as the state's foundation while depicting natural beauty, with broad implications.
- Concise and Precise Language: Each five-character line is neat and restrained, yet constructs a vast artistic conception anticipating a bumper harvest.
Insights
This poem teaches us that nature and governance are closely linked: a good harvest is not only the joy of farmers but also the foundation of national stability and prosperity. By aligning imperial favor with heavenly will, the poet portrays a timely spring rain as a symbol of national prosperity. It inspires later generations to value agriculture, respect nature, and understand that a good harvest is not automatic but the achievement of virtuous governance, favorable weather, and diligent farming.
About the Poet
Yu Shinan (虞世南 558 - 638), a native of Yuyao in Zhejiang Province, was a prominent statesman, writer, calligrapher, and politician during the Zhenguan era of the early Tang dynasty. As one of the "Twenty-Four Meritorious Officials of Lingyan Pavilion," he rose to the position of Director of the Imperial Library. His calligraphy earned him a place among the "Four Great Calligraphers of the Early Tang," alongside Ouyang Xun, Chu Suiliang, and Xue Ji. In poetry, he inherited the tradition of Xu Ling and pioneered a refined, balanced, and harmonious courtly style. He also compiled the North Hall Book Excerpts, establishing a new genre of encyclopedic literature.
