A thousand miles eastward you roam,
Your lone heart dwells on journeys flown.
A single sail clings to pale streams' gleam,
While pillowed high in Qingzhou's emerald dream.
At Cypress Hall, withered grasses sigh,
Phoenix Tower's night rains fade dry.
I know your spirit yearns afar—
How oft you'll climb where sea mists spar!
Original Poem
「送张儋水路归北海」
韩翃
千里东归客，孤心忆旧游。
片帆依白水，高枕卧青州。
柏寝寒芜变，梧台宿雨收。
知君心兴远，每上海边楼。
Interpretation
This poem was composed by Han Hong upon bidding farewell to Zhang Dan, who was embarking on a long journey eastward by water to Beihai (present-day Guangxi). With subtle yet profound emotion, Han masterfully blends the natural imagery of his friend's departure—a boat traversing the river—with his own heartfelt concern, embodying the Tang tradition of "emotion within scenery" in farewell poetry. The verses reflect both the poet's deep care for his friend's journey and his hopeful wishes for the future.
First Couplet: "千里东归客，孤心忆旧游。"
Qiān lǐ dōng guī kè, gū xīn yì jiù yóu.
A traveler journeying east a thousand miles,
Your solitary heart recalls our past wanderings.
The opening lines immediately establish the theme: Zhang Dan is the "traveler journeying east," his long voyage and homesickness underscored by the vast distance. "Solitary heart" (孤心) poignantly captures the loneliness of travel and the bittersweet nostalgia that accompanies farewells. "Recalls our past wanderings" (忆旧游) layers the emotion—it is not just nostalgia for shared memories but also a lament for life's inevitable transitions, the sentiment unfolding naturally yet profoundly.
Second Couplet: "片帆依白水，高枕卧青州。"
Piàn fān yī bái shuǐ, gāo zhěn wò qīng zhōu.
A lone sail leans against clear river waters;
You rest your head high upon Qingzhou's shores.
This couplet paints a tranquil, expansive scene. "Lone sail" (片帆) emphasizes the solitude of the journey, the small boat against the vast river amplifying the sense of isolation. "Clear river waters" (白水) suggest purity and calm, while "rest your head high upon Qingzhou's shores" (高枕卧青州) is less literal and more an idyllic vision—a wish for the traveler's peace and comfort along the way. The shift from motion to stillness, from voyage to repose, creates a soothing rhythm and understated elegance.
Third Couplet: "柏寝寒芜变，梧台宿雨收。"
Bǎi qǐn hán wú biàn, wú tái sù yǔ shōu.
By cypress-shrouded chambers, cold weeds shift;
On wutong terraces, night rains fade at dawn.
Here, the focus turns to the changing environment, rich with seasonal and temporal nuance. "Cypress-shrouded chambers" (柏寝) evoke solemnity, perhaps ancient tombs or palaces, symbolizing the silence of history and life's impermanence. "Cold weeds shift" (寒芜变) hints at seasonal transformation and the desolation of passing landscapes, mirroring the traveler's shifting inner world. "Night rains fade at dawn" (宿雨收) adds a serene touch—the rain clearing by morning suggests a transition from gloom to clarity, subtly reflecting emotional renewal.
Fourth Couplet: "知君心兴远，每上海边楼。"
Zhī jūn xīn xìng yuǎn, měi shàng hǎi biān lóu.
I know your heart yearns for distant horizons,
Often climbing seaside towers to gaze afar.
The poem concludes with a direct expression of understanding and admiration. "Your heart yearns for distant horizons" (心兴远) captures Zhang Dan's lofty aspirations, blending ambition with poetic introspection. "Climbing seaside towers to gaze afar" (上海边楼) is symbolic—an ancient trope for expressing ambition and contemplation. This act reflects both the traveler's forward-looking spirit and the poet's empathetic insight into his friend's character. The couplet broadens the poem's scope, ending on a note of resonant longing and mutual understanding.
Holistic Appreciation
The poem is meticulously structured, with subtle and restrained brushstrokes that blend emotion into scenery and express longing through narrative, exuding a profound humanistic warmth and aesthetic resonance. Han Hong uses a friend about to embark on a distant journey as his lyrical subject, painting scenes of a boat sailing on the river, rain-soaked cold fields, and gazing afar from a tower. The imagery unfolds layer by layer, mirroring the rhythm of travel. From "a solitary heart recalling past travels" to "the heart's aspirations reaching far," the poem traces not only spatial transitions but also psychological progression, culminating in distant hopes and blessings for the future. Though no explicit words of farewell are spoken, every line brims with unspoken affection, reflecting the deep camaraderie and noble spirit among Tang Dynasty literati.
Artistic Merits
Han Hong’s signature strength—"conveying emotion through scenery, with far-reaching implications"—is fully realized in this poem. First, his adept use of parallel couplets and dual-line structures creates poetic coherence and rhythmic fluidity, making the language naturally flowing yet musically elegant. Second, his depictions of scenery are delicate yet unforced—images like "a lone sail," "pale waters," "cypress-shaded chambers," and "lingering rain" possess both visual beauty and emotional weight. Third, the restrained sentiment and profound意境, though never overtly mournful, carry an undercurrent of endless reflection. The overall style is understated yet masterful, showcasing remarkable literary depth.
Insights
This poem conveys a touching truth: life’s journey is inevitably marked by partings and memories, yet inner resolve and affection can fortify one’s path forward. It carries wishes for a friend’s safety, encouragement for shared ideals, and a reminder to cherish bonds and savor life’s details. Even in moments of separation, it teaches us to face change with calm eyes and convey warmth and hope through heartfelt words. This is the enduring charm of Tang farewell poetry—a timeless solace for the human heart.
About the Poet
Han Hong(韩翃), a native of Nanyang, Henan, was one of the "Ten Literary Masters of the Dali era" (大历十才子). He was renowned for his poetry, particularly farewell and parting verses, which gained significant acclaim during his time. The Complete Tang Poems (《全唐诗》) preserves three volumes of his works.
