Yellow dust raised by the steeds veiled trees like a screen;
The messenger deceived came to deceive the crown.
The Song of Rainbow Cloak over a thousand peaks green
Would not stop till the Central Plain was broken down.
Original Poem:
「过华清宫绝句 · 其二」
杜牧
新丰绿树起黄埃，数骑渔阳探使回。
霓裳一曲千峰上，舞破中原始下来。
Interpretation:
This poem vividly depicts the scenes of extravagance and decadence preceding An Lushan's rebellion during Emperor Xuanzong's reign. An Lushan feigned loyalty while scheming rebellion, yet Emperor Xuanzong indulged him, ignoring warnings from the crown prince and his chancellor. The poem captures the fabricated reports of loyalty from An Lushan and the emperor’s deepening obsession with pleasures, symbolized by music and dance, foreshadowing the catastrophic rebellion.
First Couplet: “新丰绿树起黄埃，数骑渔阳探使回。”
(Amid the verdant trees of Xinfeng, yellow dust arises as several emissaries return hastily from Yuyang.)
The imagery of “green trees shrouded in yellow dust” conveys urgency and the tension of impending turmoil. The phrase “emissaries return from Yuyang” hints at bribed envoys falsely reporting An Lushan's loyalty, highlighting Emperor Xuanzong's negligence and misplaced trust.
Second Couplet: “霓裳一曲千峰上，舞破中原始下来。”
(A single rendition of “The Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Dress” resounds across the thousand peaks of Huaqing Palace, marking the onset of chaos in the Central Plains.)
The grandeur of “thousand peaks” underscores the lavishness of the imperial court. The phrase “dance breaking the Central Plains” employs hyperbole to criticize Emperor Xuanzong’s indulgence in music and dance as the root of national upheaval, offering a scathing commentary on the sociopolitical backdrop of the An-Shi Rebellion.
Stylistic Features:
- Concise Narrative: The poem centers on two key events—the emissaries’ return and the court’s extravagant revelry—encapsulating the prelude and underlying causes of the rebellion in succinct but evocative lines.
- Intense Satire: The stark contrast between the envoys and the emperor’s indulgence highlights Xuanzong’s oblivion to the brewing crisis. The line “dance breaking the Central Plains” stands as a powerful satirical jab at his folly.
- Use of Hyperbole and Contrast: The juxtaposition of “thousand peaks” and “breaking the Central Plains” underscores the dramatic reversal of fortunes, from imperial grandeur to national ruin.
- Implied Critique: By avoiding direct commentary, the poem weaves historical causality through vivid imagery, leaving readers to ponder the deeper implications.
Overall Analysis:
The poem’s succinct language and profound implications resonate deeply. The first couplet paints a seemingly tranquil yet ominous scene, foreshadowing An Lushan’s rebellion. The second couplet transitions to Emperor Xuanzong’s indulgence, illustrating the stark dissonance between the looming crisis and the emperor’s negligence. The poet masterfully connects these two seemingly disparate scenes, exposing the causality behind historical events. The line “dance breaking the Central Plains” crystallizes the critique, portraying the emperor’s decadence as the spark that ignited chaos. The work’s potent imagery and sharp irony serve as a timeless reflection on the perils of misgovernance.
Insights:
This poem underscores the devastating consequences of leaders’ ignorance and indulgence in the face of latent crises. Through its vivid depiction of historical events, it warns against the dangers of complacency and indulgence in positions of power. The poet’s incisive narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the heavy price of leadership failures, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and accountability to avert history’s tragedies.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Du Mu (杜牧), 803-853 AD, was a native of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. Among the poets of the Late Tang Dynasty, he was one of those who had his own characteristics, and later people called Li Shangyin and Du Mu as "Little Li and Du". His poems are bright and colorful.
