The vernal breeze has brightened your color so fine;
You stir my mind to write a verse before good wine.
With rain impearled on you, more beautiful you grow;
You're all the more bewitching when about to blow.
The fair forgets to powder her face before you;
The painter hesitates to draw your picture new.
Nor verse nor wine's enough to show delight in me;
I envy butterflies perching deep in your tree.
Original Poem:
「海棠」
郑谷
春风用意匀颜色，销得携觞与赋诗。
秾丽最宜新著雨，娇娆全在欲开时。
莫愁粉黛临窗懒，梁广丹青点笔迟。
朝醉暮吟看不足，羡他蝴蝶宿深枝。
Interpretation:
This poem written by the Tang Dynasty poet Zheng Gu, who was known for his ability to write vivid nature scenes imbued with deep emotions. In this poem, Zheng Gu uses the begonia flower as a subject to express his appreciation for beauty and his longing for the fleeting and free-spirited aspects of life. Known by his courtesy name Zi Zhen and his pen name Shao Ling, Zheng Gu’s works are characterized by their strong expressiveness and artistry.
This poem revolves around the begonia flower, using it as a medium to convey emotions about the beauty of nature and the poet's pursuit of transient moments of freedom.
- 春风用意匀颜色，销得携觞与赋诗。
The spring wind gently harmonizes the colors of the begonia, carrying away the poet’s worries, allowing him to bring wine and poetry to capture the beauty.
The poet describes the spring wind as it blends the delicate colors of the begonia, subtly implying that nature's beauty alleviates his concerns, allowing him to enjoy the moment and channel his emotions through poetry. - 秾丽最宜新著雨，娇娆全在欲开时。
The flower is at its most beautiful after a fresh rain, its vibrant beauty fully realized just before it blooms.
The beauty of the begonia is highlighted by the rain, which makes it appear even more delicate and alluring, capturing the fleeting nature of beauty in the most anticipated moments. - 莫愁粉黛临窗懒，梁广丹青点笔迟。
Do not worry about the delicate lady at the window, leisurely and lazy; Liang Guang’s painting also takes time due to its detailed strokes.
The poet may be alluding to a woman’s delicate beauty, suggesting that beauty and artistic creation require patience and time, and they cannot be rushed. The metaphor underscores the idea that both art and beauty are processes that unfold gradually. - 朝醉暮吟看不足，羡他蝴蝶宿深枝。
I am drunk in the morning and still recite poetry at night, yet I never tire of looking at the flowers. I envy the butterfly that rests on the deep branches.
The poet expresses a deep affection for the begonia, stating that neither day nor night can fully satisfy his admiration. He even envies the butterfly, which enjoys the freedom of resting in the deep branches, symbolizing a carefree existence.
Literary Features
- Delicate Natural Descriptions
Zheng Gu uses intricate imagery to vividly depict the begonia’s beauty and the surrounding natural scenery. The spring breeze, fine rain, flowers, and butterflies all interweave to create a lively and immersive scene, making the reader feel as though they are right there with the poet. - Expression through Nature
The poet uses the begonia flower as a vehicle to express his admiration for beauty and his desire for freedom. The flowers, butterflies, and natural elements reflect the poet's inner feelings, blurring the line between the external world and his emotional state. - Vivid Symbolism
The butterfly in the last line symbolizes freedom and grace. It contrasts with the poet’s deep affection for the flowers, illustrating the poet's longing for a carefree and untroubled lifestyle. The butterfly represents a wish for a life free from constraints.
Overall Analysis
Zheng Gu’s The Begonia intricately portrays the vitality and beauty of spring through the begonia flower. The first two lines describe how the spring wind and fine rain harmonize with the flower's beauty, emphasizing the delicate relationship between nature’s forces and the begonia. In the following lines, the poet metaphorically links the meticulous care needed for creating art or appreciating beauty to the patience required in life.
The last two lines illustrate the poet’s unending admiration for the begonia, as well as his yearning for the freedom symbolized by the butterfly. The poet’s longing for liberty and his connection to nature’s transient beauty are central themes that permeate the entire poem.
The poem is rich with vivid imagery and symbolic meaning, blending nature with human emotion to express both a reverence for beauty and a desire for freedom. Zheng Gu uses this theme of the begonia to explore life’s impermanence and the pursuit of a carefree existence.
Inspiration
This poem teaches us to appreciate the details and beauty in life, even amidst the hustle and bustle. Through his portrayal of nature, the poet invites us to deeply sense the beauty and emotions surrounding us. This pursuit of beauty and freedom is an aspiration that resides in every heart, reminding us to engage with the world through careful observation and embrace the serenity and beauty in our daily lives.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Zheng Gu (郑谷), circa 851 AD - 910 AD, was a famous poet at the end of the Tang Dynasty, a native of Yichun, Jiangxi Province. Zheng's works focused on nature and objects, characterized by a fresh and accessible style.
