Before we part we've drunk for many days
And visited all the scenic spots and ways.
When at the Stone Gate shall we meet and drain
Our brimming golden cups of wine again?
The autumn waves of River Si still flow;
The seaside mountains stand in morning glow.
You'll go away as thistledown will fly.
So let us fill our cups and drink them dry.
Original Poem
「鲁郡东石门送杜二甫」
李白
醉别复几日，登临遍池台。
何时石门路，重有金樽开。
秋波落泗水，海色明徂徕。
飞蓬各自远，且尽手中杯。
Interpretation
This poem was written in the autumn of 745 AD, during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty. At that time, Li Bai, having left Chang'an after being "granted gold and dismissed from court," was traveling in the Liang-Song region (modern-day Kaifeng and Shangqiu in Henan). During this period, he bid farewell to Du Fu in Lu Commandery (modern-day Qufu, Shandong). Du Fu was traveling between Zhengzhou and Liangyuan due to his grandmother's passing, while Li Bai continued his journey toward the Jiangdong region. On the eve of their parting, Li Bai composed this poem to express his deep friendship and the reluctance to part.
First Couplet:“醉别复几日，登临遍池台。”
Zuì bié fù jǐ rì, dēng lín biàn chí tái.
Just days after our drunken farewell, I have already visited all the ponds and terraces.
The poet begins with "drunken farewell," showcasing his free-spirited nature and hinting at the inevitability of frequent meetings and partings with friends. Climbing the ponds and terraces signifies the poet's indulgence in nature, using travel to dispel the sorrow of separation.
Second Couplet:“何时石门路，重有金樽开。”
Hé shí shí mén lù, chóng yǒu jīn zūn kāi.
When will we walk the Stone Gate path again and raise golden cups in joyful reunion?
Here, "Stone Gate" likely refers to a famous mountain the poet once visited, symbolizing the good times shared with his friend. Li Bai expresses his hope for a future reunion, longing to drink together and continue their unfinished joy.
Third Couplet:“秋波落泗水，海色明徂徕。”
Qiū bō luò Sì shuǐ, hǎi sè míng Cú lái.
The autumn waves flow into the Si River, and the sea's hue brightens Mount Culai.
The poet depicts the autumn scene of the clear Si River and the distant Mount Culai, reflecting each other. The autumn water symbolizes the passage of time, while the clarity of the sea reflects the poet's inner peace. Through these images, the poet conveys his longing for his friend.
Fourth Couplet:“飞蓬各自远，且尽手中杯。”
Fēi péng gè zì yuǎn, qiě jìn shǒu zhōng bēi.
Like tumbleweeds, we drift apart, each to a distant place; let us drain the cups in our hands.
The poet uses "tumbleweeds" as a metaphor for himself and his friend, drifting apart like plants in the wind, their futures uncertain. Despite the sadness of parting, Li Bai remains unrestrained, urging himself and his friend to cherish the present moment and the wine before them.
Overall Appreciation
This is a farewell poem filled with boldness and free-spiritedness. Instead of dwelling on the sorrow of parting, Li Bai uses "drunken farewell" to express his open-hearted nature. Through the depiction of autumn waters, the Si River, and Mount Culai, the poem's意境 (yìjìng, artistic conception) becomes vast and expansive, blending scene and emotion seamlessly. The poem contains both hope for future reunions and a cherishing of the present moment, fully embodying Li Bai's characteristic boldness. The final line, "let us drain the cups in our hands," elevates the poem's free-spirited sentiment to a climax, showcasing the poet's optimistic attitude toward parting.
Writing Characteristics
- Blending of Scene and Emotion: The poet uses images of autumn waters and mountain hues to convey the emotions of parting, making the expression of feelings more subtle and profound.
- Bold and Natural Language, Full of Appeal: Phrases like "drunken farewell," "golden cups," and "let us drain the cups in our hands" showcase Li Bai's bold temperament, filling the poem with a sense of unrestrained freedom.
- Vivid Metaphors, Deep Artistic Conception: "Like tumbleweeds, we drift apart" vividly metaphorizes friends going their separate ways, expressing the philosophical reflection on the impermanence of human gatherings and partings.
- Emotion Through Wine, Unrestrained Spirit: The poet uses "raising golden cups" and "let us drain the cups in our hands" to depict a scene of bold farewell drinking, giving the poem both a bold atmosphere and a touch of melancholy.
Insights
This poem teaches us that partings are inevitable in life, but what matters is cherishing the present and embracing the beauty of the moment. Li Bai faces separation with an open heart, using wine to celebrate friendship and express deep affection, while also showcasing his optimistic and free-spirited attitude toward life. This spirit of not dwelling on sorrow but bravely moving forward is a valuable lesson we can learn when facing the comings and goings of life.
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.
