It snowed on southern shore last night;
You drank alone with keen delight.
Clouds float for miles and miles like rolled-up mountains high;
The lonely moon drifts in the midst of the sky.
The same lonely moon swims in Silver River dear;
The evening star is bright when Dipper stars appear.
You think of me drinking on a night white with frost;
The golden well with rails of jade in ice is lost.
Men live like floating clouds within a hundred years,
So we should drink our fill like our ancient compeers.
You cannot do as the eunuchs fond of cock fight,
Who blow their breath like rainbow bright.
You cannot do as the general with sword in hand,
Who won his violet robe by slaughter on the land.
Writing verse or prose, by north window you remain;
Ten thousand words not worth a cup of water plain.
Hearing of this, people would turn their heads away,
Just as a horse with ears hurt by east wind would neigh.
The fish's eye mistaken for a pearl laughs at me,
Saying I cannot shine as the moon or as he.
A horse can't gallop when it has nothing to eat;
A donkey brays in spring breeze though crippled in fret.
The common people like to sing the vulgar thing.
How could the sacred lute please a secular king?
By popular musicians no fine music's played;
The Southerners usually look down on rare jade.
No friendship will be made when I've spent all my gold,
Though my hair turns white, I receive but glances cold.
My face has lost color when I speak in low voice;
For slanderers like flies make a deafening noise.
The sage's a murderer, how could that be believed?
The rumor thrice heard, the sage's mother was deceived.
We speak our bosom hand in hand and face to face.
What do I care about vain glory or disgrace?
Confucius only grieved no phoenix would appear.
Why should we hold these lower animals in fear?
Proud all my life long, with them I'm not in accord;
In disfavor, I'm alienated from the lord.
The hermit said to the emperor goodbye.
Why should he serve with his long sword in palace high?
The successful are not those we adore,
Nor the unsuccessful those we deplore.
General Han was ashamed of his compeers;
A loyal man despises one at whom he jeers.
Have you not seen Li of North Sea?
Brave as he was, where now is he?
Have you not seen Secretary PeiBuried among thorns?
What to say?While young, I wished to wander on the lake;
Now older, born the dreams of glory I'm awake.
Original Poem:
「答王十二寒夜独酌有怀」
李白
昨夜吴中雪，子猷佳兴发。
万里浮云卷碧山，青天中道流孤月。
孤月沧浪河汉清，北斗错落长庚明。
怀余对酒夜霜白，玉床金井冰峥嵘。
人生飘忽百年内，且须酣畅万古情。
君不能狸膏金距学斗鸡，坐令鼻息吹虹霓。
君不能学哥舒横行青海夜带刀，西屠石堡取紫袍。
吟诗作赋北窗里，万言不直一杯水。
世人闻此皆掉头，有如东风射马耳。
鱼目亦笑我，谓与明月同。
骅骝拳跼不能食，蹇驴得志鸣春风。
《折杨》《黄华》合流俗，晋君听琴枉《清角》。
《巴人》谁肯和《阳春》，楚地犹来贱奇璞。
黄金散尽交不成，白首为儒身被轻。
一谈一笑失颜色，苍蝇贝锦喧谤声。
曾参岂是杀人者？谗言三及慈母惊。
与君论心握君手，荣辱于余亦何有？
孔圣犹闻伤凤麟，董龙更是何鸡狗！
一生傲岸苦不谐，恩疏媒劳志多乖。
严陵高揖汉天子，何必长剑拄颐事玉阶。
达亦不足贵，穷亦不足悲。
韩信羞将绛灌比，祢衡耻逐屠沽儿。
君不见李北海，英风豪气今何在！
君不见裴尚书，土坟三尺蒿棘居！
少年早欲五湖去，见此弥将钟鼎疏。
Interpretation:
This long poem was written by Li Bai during a period of career setbacks. The background of this poem is set before the An Lushan Rebellion, during which the Tang Dynasty was increasingly plagued by political corruption, eunuch dominance, and power struggles among influential officials, leaving talented individuals like Li Bai unable to realize their ambitions. Although initially full of hope after being summoned by the emperor, Li Bai soon experienced rejection and neglect. In this poem, written in dialogue with his friend Wang Shier, he expresses his discontent with career frustrations and societal injustices, while also revealing his yearning for a life of seclusion and detachment from worldly concerns.
“昨夜吴中雪，子猷佳兴发。万里浮云卷碧山，青天中道流孤月。”
(Last night, snow fell in Wu, stirring Ziyou’s delight. Clouds rolled over endless green mountains, and a lone moon traversed the azure sky.)
These lines reference the Eastern Jin story of Wang Ziyou visiting Dai Kui on a snowy night, likening Wang Shier to Ziyou and emphasizing the depth of their friendship. The serene snow-covered scene in Wu is beautifully depicted, with the vast universe accentuating the night's solitude.
“孤月沧浪河汉清，北斗错落长庚明。怀余对酒夜霜白，玉床金井冰峥嵘。”
(The lone moon reflects on the clear Milky Way; the Big Dipper and Venus shine brightly. Missing my friend, I drink alone under the frosty night, while thick ice clings to the well and jade bed.)
These lines depict the tranquil beauty of a cold night, where the "lone moon" and "Milky Way" highlight the expanse and stillness of the cosmos. The imagery transitions to the poet's internal feelings, conveying his friend's isolation and the poet's empathetic sorrow.
“人生飘忽百年内，且须酣畅万古情。”
(Life is as fleeting as a shadow; why not revel and express timeless emotions?)
Here, the poet reflects on life's transience and advocates for a carefree, open-hearted attitude, showcasing his philosophical outlook.
“君不能狸膏金距学斗鸡，坐令鼻息吹虹霓。”
(You cannot coat spurs with lard and engage in cockfights, basking in arrogance and bluster.)
This sarcastically critiques the decadent cockfighting culture at court, praising Wang Shier’s moral integrity and mocking the absurdity of sycophantic pursuits among the powerful.
“君不能学哥舒横行青海夜带刀，西屠石堡取紫袍。”
(You cannot imitate Geshu Han’s feats in Qinghai, wielding a sword to seize a fortress and earn a purple robe.)
By contrasting Wang Shier with Geshu Han, the poet commends his friend's refusal to seek favor through military exploits, implicitly criticizing such values.
“吟诗作赋北窗里，万言不直一杯水。世人闻此皆掉头，有如东风射马耳。”
(Writing poetry by the northern window, your eloquence is worth less than a cup of water. People turn away from such talents as if wind whispers past a horse's ear.)
The poet laments how true talent goes unappreciated in a shallow society, reflecting his and his friend's shared frustrations.
“鱼目亦笑我，谓与明月同。骅骝拳跼不能食，蹇驴得志鸣春风。”
(Mediocre men scoff at me, comparing pearls to fish eyes. Noble steeds starve while lame donkeys revel in spring.)
Using stark contrasts, these lines criticize societal injustices where mediocrity thrives, while true talent is neglected.
“《折杨》《黄华》合流俗，晋君听琴枉清角。巴人谁肯和《阳春》，楚地犹来贱奇璞。”
(Songs like "Zheyang" and "Huanghua" cater to the vulgar, while "Qingjiao" is dismissed by the Jin ruler. Who would appreciate "Spring Snow" in Bashu, where rare jades are scorned?)
The poet employs musical metaphors to satirize societal superficiality and the lack of recognition for genuine talent.
Writing Features:
- Intricate Structure
The poem develops methodically, from depicting snowy nights and reflecting on friendship to lamenting societal injustices and advocating for transcendence. - Rich Allusions
The use of historical and cultural references enriches the poem’s depth, connecting personal grievances with broader societal commentary. - Elegant Language
The poem’s refined and evocative expressions convey deep emotion, highlighting its literary artistry. - Critical Undertones
Through pointed metaphors, the poet critiques societal inequities, asserting his and his friend's principled detachment.
Overall Appreciation:
The poem intertwines natural imagery, philosophical musings, and sharp social criticism. Opening with a serene depiction of snow, it transitions to deeper reflections on friendship, frustration with societal injustices, and the poet’s aspiration for a reclusive life. The seamless integration of nature, personal sentiment, and broader commentary showcases Li Bai’s poetic genius and his ability to encapsulate profound truths in a single composition.
Insights:
This poem reminds us to cherish true friendship and maintain integrity amidst societal challenges. It underscores the value of detachment from worldly gains and staying true to one’s ideals, encouraging resilience and self-awareness in an unjust world.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong(许渊冲)
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.
