When the Emperor sought guidance from wise men, from exiles,
He found no calmer w i sdom than that of young Chia
And assigned him the foremost council-seat at midnight,
Yet asked him about gods, instead of about people.
Original Poem:
「听筝」
李端
鸣筝金粟柱， 素手玉房前。
欲得周郎顾， 时时误拂弦。
Interpretation:
"A Wife Longing for Her Husband" is a seven-character quatrain that portrays a woman’s deep yearning for her husband late at night. Through simple yet vivid language, the poem captures the emotional fluctuations of a young wife who stays up alone, awaiting her husband's return. The poem is structured clearly, with profound imagery and sincere, delicate emotions that convey both intense longing and slight disappointment, using vivid descriptions of the surroundings and psychological portrayal of the character.
First Couplet:“月落星稀天欲明，孤灯未灭梦难成。”
(The moon has set, the stars are sparse, and the sky is about to lighten; the lone lamp still burns, but dreams remain unfulfilled.)
These lines convey a cold and lonely atmosphere through descriptions of the sky. They reflect the woman's solitude during the long night, unable to sleep because of her yearning.
Second Couplet:“披衣更向门前望，不忿朝来鹊喜声。”
(She puts on her clothes and gazes once more at the door, feeling displeased by the cheerful sound of magpies in the morning.)
These lines express the woman's hope for her husband's return through her actions of getting up and looking out. The misleading “magpie’s joyful sound” and her displeasure reveal her inner frustration, hinting at her dissatisfaction with his delayed return.
Writing Characteristics:
In this poem, the poet delicately portrays the woman’s psychological state. Through the combination of environmental descriptions and the character’s actions, the poet creates a deep and cool atmosphere, allowing the reader to empathize. The imagery of “the moon setting” and “the lone lamp” highlights the woman’s loneliness, while the “magpie’s cheerful sound” and her “displeasure” vividly express the emotional shifts she experiences.
Overall Appreciation:
The entire poem uses concise language to depict a young wife waiting for her husband’s return in the quiet of the night. The first two lines set the cold and silent night scene, followed by the woman’s actions of looking out and reacting to external sounds, which then reveal her disappointment and frustration. The poem’s structure moves from stillness to action and back to stillness, with clear layers and emotional transitions. The poet, using simple language and natural scenery, turns what seems like an ordinary emotional expression into a poetic and lively piece.
Enlightenment:
This poem teaches us how to reveal a character’s emotions through the description of surroundings and psychology, making what appears to be a simple life scene carry profound emotional experiences. Through minimalistic language, the poet conveys a range of emotions, demonstrating a masterful use of language and rhythm.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Li Duan (李端) was a native of Zhao County, Hebei Province. Li Duan was a native of Zhao County, Hebei Province. He was admitted as a jinshi in 770 AD, and was one of the “Ten Scholarly Men of the Dali Dynasty”. He was one of the “Ten Scholars of the Dali Dynasty”. His poems were often sent as farewells and gifts, and he was highly praised for his quick-wittedness.
