Memories at Jinling by Liu Yu-xi

The tide overwhelms the forge's site,
The tower drowned in slanting sunlight.
The islet covered with grass green,
And hills are veiled by a smoke screen.
Man decides a state's rise and fall,
Hills and streams can do nothing at all.
O hear the captive ruler's song!
How can you bear his grief for long?

Original Poem:

「金陵怀古」
潮满冶城渚，日斜征虏亭。
蔡洲新草绿，幕府旧烟青。
兴废由人事，山川空地形。
后庭花一曲，幽怨不堪听。

刘禹锡

Interpretation:

This poem was written in the third year of the Baoli era (827) during the Tang Dynasty when Liu Yuxi, returning from Hezhou to Luoyang, passed through Jinling. He wrote this poem there, describing the spring scenery of Jinling while reflecting on the rise and fall of the Six Dynasties, triggered by historical relics. The poet not only reviews the past history but also hints at his concerns over the political corruption of the Tang Dynasty.

First Couplet: “潮满冶城渚，日斜征虏亭。”
(The tide has filled the waters of Yecheng, and the setting sun casts its glow on the Zhenlu Pavilion.)
The poet uses the imagery of the rising tide in Yecheng and the slanting sunset to express the desolation of historical relics and the silent passage of time. The once-glorious Yecheng and the lonely Zhenlu Pavilion in the sunset form a sharp contrast between prosperity and decline.

Second Couplet: “蔡洲新草绿，幕府旧烟青。”
(The new grass on Caizhou is turning green, while the old smoke still rises from the governor's mountain.)
These lines, while describing the spring scenery, also carry an implicit reflection on history. The new grass symbolizes recovery after the ravages of war, while the lingering smoke from the governor’s mountain reflects the power struggles and political changes of the past. The green grass and the old smoke symbolize the ongoing flow of history and the constancy of the landscape.

Third Couplet: “兴废由人事，山川空地形。”
(The rise and fall of a nation depend on human affairs, not the geography of the land.)
The poet articulates the true reason behind the rise and fall of history, emphasizing that despite the importance of terrain, a nation’s prosperity or decline depends on the virtues and governance of its rulers. These lines reveal the lessons learned from the Six Dynasties and caution contemporary rulers not to rely on geographical advantages but to focus on governance.

Fourth Couplet: “后庭花一曲，幽怨不堪听。”
(A melody of "Houtianhua," filled with deep sorrow, is unbearable to hear.)
The song "Houtianhua" is used here as a symbol of a fallen nation, suggesting that the rulers of the Six Dynasties were consumed by indulgence, leading to their downfall. By referencing this song, the poet warns the rulers of the Tang Dynasty to learn from history and avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Writing Characteristics:

1. Connection between history and reality: The poet ties together the historical relics and natural landscapes of Jinling to reflect on the rise and fall of the Six Dynasties, establishing a connection between the ancient and the contemporary.
2. Combination of scenery and meaning: Through natural elements like the tide, grass, and smoke, the poet symbolizes the passage of history and the changing of political power, embodying the deep thought that "the rise and fall depend on human affairs."
3. Concise reasoning: The poet uses simple, yet powerful language to summarize the principles of the Six Dynasties' rise and fall, conveying the philosophy that "the nation’s survival depends on virtue, not terrain."
4. Implicit warning: Through the reference to "Houtianhua," the poet indirectly expresses concern over the political corruption of the time, delivering a profound moral message.

Overall Analysis:

The poem is centered around the historical landscape of Jinling, which triggers reflections on the rise and fall of the Six Dynasties. The poet is not merely reminiscing about the past but uses history as an allegory to comment on the present, revealing the severity of political corruption through descriptions of historical relics and natural scenery. In the line "兴废由人事，山川空地形," the poet profoundly expresses the truth of history: the rise and fall of a nation depends on the virtue of its rulers, not on external circumstances. In the final line, "后庭花一曲," the poet uses music to hint at historical lessons, warning the rulers of his time not to repeat the mistakes of the Six Dynasties. The poem is not only deeply historical but also concerned with the contemporary political situation.

Lessons:

Through this poem, the poet reminds future generations that the rise and fall of a nation are closely tied to its fate, and effective governance is more important than relying on external factors. The lessons of history should serve as a wake-up call for contemporary rulers to avoid indulgence and neglect of state governance.

Poem translator:

Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)

About the poet:

Liu Yuxi(刘禹锡), 772 - 842 AD, was a native of Hebei. He was a progressive statesman and thinker in the middle of the Tang Dynasty, and a poet with unique achievements in this period. In his compositions, there is no lack of poems reflecting current affairs and the plight of the people.