On Wheel Tower parapets night-bugles are blowing,
Though the flag at the northern end hangs limp.
Scouts, in the darkness, are passing Quli,
Where, west of the Hill of Gold, the Tartar chieftain has halted
We can see, from the look-out, the dust and black smoke
Where Chinese troops are camping, north of Wheel Tower.
...Our flags now beckon the General farther west-
With bugles in the dawn he rouses his Grand Army;
Drums like a tempest pound on four sides
And the Yin Mountains shake with the shouts of ten thousand;
Clouds and the war-wind whirl up in a point
Over fields where grass-roots will tighten around white bones;
In the Dagger River mist, through a biting wind,
Horseshoes, at the Sand Mouth line, break on icy boulders.
...Our General endures every pain, every hardship,
Commanded to settle the dust along the border.
We have read, in the Green Books, tales of old days-
But here we behold a living man, mightier than the dead.
Original Poem:
「轮台歌奉送封大夫出师西征」
岑参
轮台城头夜吹角， 轮台城北旄头落。
羽书昨夜过渠黎， 单于已在金山西。
戍楼西望烟尘黑， 汉兵屯在轮台北。
上将拥旄西出征， 平明吹笛大军行。
四边伐鼓雪海涌， 三军大呼阴山动。
虏塞兵气连云屯， 战场白骨缠草根。
剑河风急雪片阔， 沙口石冻马蹄脱。
亚相勤王甘苦辛， 誓将报主静边尘。
古来青史谁不见？ 今见功名胜古人。
Interpretation:
This is a borderland poem composed by Cen Can. The background is set against the Tang Dynasty’s military campaigns and defense efforts in the northwest frontier. “Grand Councilor Feng” refers to Feng Changqing, who was serving as the Military Commissioner of Anxi and was ordered to lead an expedition to the west. Although the poem is titled "Farewell Song," it does not confine itself to the scene of parting. Instead, it uses the farewell as a pretext to paint a grand and tragic portrait of warfare on the frontier. Through the depiction of the tense atmosphere in Luntai City, the brutal battlefield scenes, and the weight of historical warfare, the poet not only expresses admiration and best wishes for General Feng but also conveys deep concern for the security of Tang’s borders and a strong sense of heroic pride. Rich in vivid imagery, the poem presents both fierce combat and a sense of historical desolation, making it one of Cen Can’s representative borderland works.
First Couplet:“轮台城头夜吹角，轮台城北旄头落。”
The mournful call of war horns echoes from the towers of Luntai City at night, while the ominous Mao star slowly sinks in the northern sky.
The opening couplet sets the tone of the entire poem, with the dark backdrop of night over Luntai City. The chilling horn and the falling Mao star symbolize the imminent outbreak of war. The phrase “Mao star falling” not only describes a celestial phenomenon but also carries strong symbolic meaning, indicating the impending downfall of the enemy and the approaching victory.
Second Couplet:“羽书昨夜过渠黎，单于已在金山西。”
Urgent military reports arrived in Qu Li last night— the enemy’s forces have retreated west of the Golden Mountains.
The tension is palpable — urgent news reveals the precarious situation at the frontier, where Tang forces are locked in confrontation with the enemy. These lines succinctly outline the background of the campaign, directly conveying the tense standoff in the northwest borderlands.
Third Couplet:“戍楼西望烟尘黑，汉兵屯在轮台北。”
From the watchtower, dark clouds of dust rise from the west; the Tang troops have already gathered north of Luntai.
From the vantage point of the frontier guards, the poet depicts the ominous sight of enemy encampments, the thick dust blending with the sky. This visual confrontation between Tang troops and the enemy builds an increasingly tense atmosphere, immersing the reader in the impending conflict.
Fourth Couplet:“上将拥旄西出征，平明吹笛大军行。”
The commanding general raises his banner high and marches west to war. At dawn, the army departs to the sound of flutes.
The departure ceremony before the battle officially begins highlights the grandeur of General Feng leading his troops into the campaign. The haunting flute music, while seemingly romantic, underscores the somberness of the looming conflict.
Fifth Couplet:“四边伐鼓雪海涌，三军大呼阴山动。”
War drums thunder on all sides, echoing across the snowy expanse; the soldiers’ collective shouts shake the very peaks of Yin Mountain.
The battle erupts in full force. The clash of drums and the soldiers’ cries form a deafening war symphony. Through exaggerated imagery, the poet magnifies the fierce energy of the battlefield, pushing the sense of heroism and violence to a crescendo.
Sixth Couplet:“虏塞兵气连云屯，战场白骨缠草根。”
The enemy’s killing aura soars skyward, their camps stretching endlessly; the battlefield is strewn with bleached bones entangled in grass roots.
With victory still uncertain, the enemy’s morale remains high. The chilling image of bones intertwined with grass roots captures the battlefield’s gruesome reality. It is not only a portrait of war’s brutality but also a grim reminder of countless lives lost on these borders over the years.
Seventh Couplet:“剑河风急雪片阔，沙口石冻马蹄脱。”
The winds howl over Sword River, scattering broad flakes of snow; at Shakou, the stones freeze and crack, loosening horses’ shoes.
By depicting the harsh natural environment, the poet reveals the extreme hardship endured by the troops. The blending of brutal weather and ferocious combat conveys a deep sense of desolation unique to borderland warfare.
Eighth Couplet:“亚相勤王甘苦辛，誓将报主静边尘。”
Vice Minister Feng serves the king with tireless devotion, vowing to pacify the frontier at all costs.
Here, General Feng is praised for his loyalty and willingness to endure any hardship for his country. This couplet highlights the poem’s central theme — bidding farewell while praising Feng’s heroic spirit.
Ninth Couplet:“古来青史谁不见？今见功名胜古人。”
Throughout history, countless heroes have been immortalized in the records. Now, I see your achievements surpassing them all.
The poem closes on a note of grandeur, expressing admiration and confidence in General Feng’s future glory. The poet anticipates Feng’s success and believes his feats will be remembered for generations, surpassing even the heroes of old.
Overall Appreciation:
Although titled “Farewell Song,” the poem transcends the mere act of bidding farewell. Instead, it paints a panoramic portrait of borderland warfare, spanning the tense standoff before battle, the grand departure, the brutal combat, and finally, reflections on history. The poem’s sweeping momentum and profound emotions convey both heroic pride and sorrowful lament. Using techniques such as exaggeration, contrast, and symbolism, Cen Can seamlessly blends the horrors of war, the harshness of the environment, the bravery of the soldiers, and the weight of history. The poem embodies the distinctive artistic style of Cen Can’s borderland poetry — bold yet deeply contemplative.
Writing Characteristics:
- Grand Scale and Majestic Imagery:
From the nighttime horns over Luntai to the departure of the great army, from the thunderous drums to the frozen battlefield, each scene builds on the last, creating a powerful visual and emotional impact. - Blending Reality with Imagination:
Descriptions like the “snowy sea surging” and “Yin Mountain trembling” mix imagination with reality, amplifying the intensity of the battlefield and the harshness of the borderland. - Emotional and Historical Fusion:
Through images like bones tangled in grass, Cen Can not only depicts the current war but also evokes the long history of bloodshed on these borders, infusing the poem with a deep historical consciousness. - Clear Structure and Swift Pace:
From pre-battle tension to heroic departure, fierce combat, and reflections on legacy, the poem unfolds in distinct stages, each intensifying the narrative while maintaining a brisk, gripping rhythm.
Insights:
With its sweeping grandeur, rich emotional depth, and strong historical awareness, Song of Luntai — A Farewell to Grand Councilor Feng on His Western Expedition vividly captures the epic scale of Tang frontier warfare while commemorating the heroism of generals like Feng Changqing. From a unique borderland perspective, Cen Can not only celebrates the glory of military exploits but also reminds future generations of the heavy price paid for such victories. It offers a profound reflection — behind every shining achievement in history lies the sacrifice of countless unsung heroes. Through his romantic yet somber brushstrokes, Cen Can immortalizes this tragic yet heroic chapter of western conquest for all time.
Poem translator:
Kiang Kanghu
About the poet:
Cen Shen(岑参), 715-770 AD, was a native of Jingzhou, Hubei Province. He studied at Mt. Songshan when he was young, and later traveled to Beijing, Luoyang and Shuohe. Cen Shen was famous for his border poems, in which he wrote about the border scenery and the life of generals in a majestic and unrestrained manner, and together with Gao Shi, he was an outstanding representative of the border poetry school of the Sheng Tang Dynasty.
