The lotus-gathering maidens on the stream,
Seeing a stranger, row away singing all the way.
They smile and slip in’mid the lotus plants unseen;
Shy to be seen, they won’t come out of the bloom.
Original Poem:
「越女词 · 其三」
李白
耶溪采莲女，见客棹歌回。
笑入荷花去，佯羞不出来。
Interpretation:
This poem was composed by Li Bai during his travels in the Wu-Yue region (modern Jiangsu-Zhejiang area). Captivated by the local women's charm and customs, he penned this lively portrayal of lotus-gathering maidens. The Wu-Yue region, crisscrossed with rivers and lakes, often saw young women picking lotus seeds—a common labor scene that Li Bai immortalized with his fresh and spirited brush, reflecting the unique charm of Jiangnan’s water towns.
First Couplet: "耶溪采莲女，见客棹歌回。"
Yē xī cǎi lián nǚ, jiàn kè zhào gē huí.
Lotus-gathering girls on Yexi Stream,
Seeing a traveler, sing as they turn their boats.
The opening line identifies the maidens and captures their actions and reactions. “Sing as they turn their boats” vividly portrays the girls’ playful and innocent demeanor—seemingly drawing the traveler’s attention with song while coyly steering away, embodying the distinctive charm and liveliness of Wu-Yue women.
Second Couplet: "笑入荷花去，佯羞不出来。"
Xiào rù héhuā qù, yáng xiū bù chūlái.
Laughing, they disappear among lotus blooms,
Feigning shyness, refusing to emerge.
The maidens playfully hide among the lotus flowers, blending mischief with a maiden’s reserve. “Feigning shyness” is richly expressive—outwardly bashful, yet hinting at a flirtatious ambivalence that reveals subtle emotional ripples, making the scene natural and animated.
Holistic Appreciation
With concise and vivid strokes, this poem paints a lotus-gathering scene in Jiangnan, showcasing the playful innocence of Wu-Yue maidens. Li Bai deftly captures the girls’ psychological dynamics, rendering their reactions to the passerby with lifelike charm. “Sing as they turn” reflects their agility, “laughing, they disappear” depicts their coy delight, and “feigning shyness” lays bare their hidden curiosity—as if one can imagine them peeking from behind the lotus leaves. This charming portrayal blends the vibrancy of daily life with poetic beauty.
Artistic Merits
- Plain-Diction Style, Concise Language: The poet sketches the maidens’ delicacy with minimal yet precise wording—unadorned and refreshingly natural.
- Dynamic-Static Balance, Vivid Imagery: The maidens’ movements shift from lively to demurely still, creating layered visual rhythm.
- Scene-Emotion Fusion, Evocative Atmosphere: The interaction among lotus blooms, maidens, and the traveler fills the tableau with poetic charm, leaving ample room for imagination.
Insights
Through the vivid portrayal of Jiangnan lotus-gathering girls, this poem not only showcases the local culture and customs of Wu-Yue but also conveys a sense of pure, unadulterated beauty. With simple language and clever situational design, Li Bai evokes the maidens’ endearing charm while highlighting the harmony between humanity and nature. This straightforward yet lively approach inspires us to pay closer attention to detail in literary creation and appreciation, achieving a perfect blend of emotion and imagery.
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.
