Out of the Frontier by Wang Wei

The proud Tartar sons are hunting out of the town;
White grass spreads to the sky, wild fire bums up and down.
They ride on the desert when evening clouds hang low;
In autumn days on the vast plain they bend their bow.
Our officers strengthen the defense by daylight;
Our victorious generals cross the river at night.
The swords, bows and bridles mounted with gems and jade
Are awarded generals and their brave cavalcade.

Original Poem:

「出塞作」
居延城外猎天骄，白草连天野火烧。
暮云空碛时驱马，秋日平原好射雕。
护羌校尉朝乘障，破虏将军夜渡辽。
玉靶角弓珠勒马，汉家将赐霍嫖姚。

王维

Interpretation:

This poem was written in the 25th year of the Kaiyuan era (737 AD), during a period of tense military situations on the Tang Dynasty’s frontier. Cui Xiyi, the Deputy Military Commissioner of Hexi, had suffered a defeat against the Tibetan forces in Qinghai, and Wang Wei, serving as an Imperial Inspector, was ordered to travel to the frontier to comfort the troops. The poem reflects the military situation on the frontier during this historical period. Wang Wei uses the poem to express the tense atmosphere at the border as well as the bravery and composure of the Tang army.

First Couplet: “居延城外猎天骄，白草连天野火烧。”
(Outside the city of Juyan, hunters chase after the wild steeds. The white grass stretches to the horizon, and wildfires rage in the fields.)
This couplet depicts the vast grasslands outside Juyan, setting the scene for the Tibetan hunters chasing after the wild steeds, highlighting the tension of the frontier situation. The endless white grass and the blazing wildfires not only describe the desolate and harsh environment but also hint at the impending outbreak of war, intensifying the urgency of the scene. This imagery echoes the line “猎火照狼山” from "Yan Ge Xing" (Song of the Goose), deepening the symbolic connection to warfare.

Second Couplet: “暮云空碛时驱马，秋日平原好射雕。”
(On the vast desert under the evening clouds, the horses race, and the autumn plains are perfect for hunting eagles.)
These lines further depict the courage and strength of the Tibetan hunters, showcasing their hunting and horseback riding across the barren desert and autumn plains. Through vivid descriptions, the poet conveys the harshness of the frontier environment, while also implying the power and momentum of the Tibetan forces, setting the stage for the Tang army’s response.

Third Couplet: “护羌校尉朝乘障，破虏将军夜渡辽。”
(The Border Guards Officer ascends the fortifications in the morning, and the General who destroys the invaders crosses the Liao River at night.)
These lines, with their clever parallel structure, highlight the Tang army's response strategies. Although the poet does not describe the battles directly, the contrast between "morning" and "night" emphasizes the speed and urgency of the military actions, illustrating the strategic deployment and efficient execution of the Tang army. The generals defend by day and attack by night, showing the swift and effective military operations of the Tang forces.

Fourth Couplet: “玉靶角弓珠勒马，汉家将赐霍嫖姚。”
(The jade-handled bow, horned bow, and jeweled bridles are rewards prepared by the imperial court for the victorious general Cui Xiyi.)
These lines point to the poem’s conclusion, indicating the Tang court’s reward system for its frontier soldiers. By mentioning historical figures like Huo Qubing, the poet symbolically honors Cui Xiyi, emphasizing his remarkable military achievements. This not only elevates the theme of the poem but also reflects the heroism and reward system of the Tang Dynasty.

Writing Features:

1. Clever use of contrast: The entire poem employs a striking contrast, with the first four lines depicting the strength and momentum of the Tibetans, while the latter four lines portray the composure and bravery of the Tang army. By contrasting the enemy and the Tang forces, the poem highlights the courage of the Tang army in difficult circumstances and their eventual victory.
2. Ingenious composition: The poet does not directly depict the intense battle scenes but uses symbolic descriptions of the environment and the characters to convey the tension, indirectly enhancing the emotional power of the poem.
3. Use of historical allusions: The poem references historical figures like Huo Qubing, adding a sense of history to the poem while also using their heroic qualities to enhance the military talents of Cui Xiyi.

Overall Appreciation:

Through its careful composition and use of contrast, this poem vividly presents the tense situation on the frontier and the bravery of the Tang army. Wang Wei skillfully contrasts the ferocity of the Tibetan hunters with the calm and composed response of the Tang forces, emphasizing the Tang army’s strength and resolve in difficult circumstances. The historical allusions and the depictions of both sides not only intensify the emotional tension but also vividly present the heroic spirit of the Tang Dynasty’s frontier soldiers. Overall, the poem successfully portrays the strong and formidable image of the Tang army through its delicate brushstrokes and contrasts.

Insights:

This poem teaches us the importance of maintaining calmness and determination in the face of pressure and challenges. Despite the harsh external circumstances, through composed responses and swift actions, one can often turn the tide and achieve victory. Moreover, the heroic figures and historical allusions in the poem remind us that the brilliance of history is not only about victories in battle but also about the recognition of courage and wisdom. In any era, victory requires not just strength, but also wisdom and decisiveness.

Poem translator:

Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)

About the poet:

Wang Wei (王维), 701-761 A.D., was a native of Yuncheng, Shanxi Province. Wang Wei was a poet of landscape and idylls. His poems of landscape and idylls, with far-reaching images and mysterious meanings, were widely loved by readers in later generations, but Wang Wei never really became a man of landscape and idylls.