Our host, providing abundant wine to make the night mellow,
Asks his guest from Yang-chou to play for us on the lute.
Toward the moon that whitens the city-wall, black crows are flying,
Frost is on ten thousand trees, and the wind blows through our clothes;
But a copper stove has added its light to that of flowery candles,
And the lute plays The Green Water, and then The Queen of Ch'u.
Once it has begun to play, there is no other sound:
A spell is on the banquet, while the stars grow thin…
But three hundred miles from here, in Huai, official duties await him,
And so it's farewell, and the road again, under cloudy mountains.
Original Poem
「琴歌」
李颀
主人有酒欢今夕，请奏鸣琴广陵客。
月照城头乌半飞，霜凄万木风入衣。
铜炉华烛烛增辉，初弹渌水后楚妃。
一声已动物皆静，四座无言星欲稀。
清淮奉使千余里，敢告云山从此始。
Interpretation
Composed when the poet was embarking on a thousand-mile diplomatic mission to Qinghuai, this poem captures an elegant farewell banquet where the host arranged zither music to express parting sentiments. Through the imagery of music, the poet conveys gratitude to his host while affirming steadfast commitment to his duty. The work not only depicts the refined atmosphere of the banquet but also expresses profound emotions through musical aesthetics.
First Couplet: "主人有酒欢今夕，请奏鸣琴广陵客。"
Zhǔ rén yǒu jiǔ huān jīn xī, qǐng zòu míng qín Guǎnglíng kè.
With vintage wine the host glows tonight, Summoning Guangling's master to play zither bright.
The opening establishes the banquet's joyous atmosphere and musical theme. The reference to "Guangling's master" (广陵客) alludes to the legendary zither virtuoso Ji Kang, immediately elevating the artistic ambiance.
Second Couplet: "月照城头乌半飞，霜凄万木风入衣。"
Yuè zhào chéng tóu wū bàn fēi, shuāng qī wàn mù fēng rù yī.
Moonlight bathes the ramparts where crows take flight, Frost withers all trees, winds pierce robes with bite.
The harsh autumn night outside—with its crows, frost and piercing winds—creates a stark contrast to the warmth within, heightening the poignancy of departure.
Third Couplet: "铜炉华烛烛增辉，初弹渌水后楚妃。"
Tóng lú huá zhú zhú zēng huī, chū tán Lùshuǐ hòu Chǔfēi.
Bronze censers and candles magnify the glow, First 'Emerald Stream', then 'Chu Consort' begin to flow.
The luxurious interior—with its incense burners and glowing candles—frames the zither performance. The mentioned compositions, "Emerald Stream" (渌水) and "Chu Consort" (楚妃), represent respectively pure natural imagery and romantic historical allusions, symbolizing the poet's dual appreciation of beauty and duty.
Fourth Couplet: "一声已动物皆静，四座无言星欲稀。"
Yī shēng yǐ dòng wù jiē jìng, sì zuò wú yán xīng yù xī.
At first note all creation holds its breath, Guests sit wordless as stars fade in their depth.
Hyperbole and personification magnify the zither's power—its notes silence nature and humble the cosmos, demonstrating music's transcendent quality.
Fifth Couplet: "清淮奉使千余里，敢告云山从此始。"
Qīng Huái fèng shǐ qiān yú lǐ, gǎn gào yún shān cóng cǐ shǐ.
A thousand miles to Qinghuai I'm duty-bound, These cloud-capped hills mark where my mission's crowned.
The resolute conclusion affirms the poet's commitment to his diplomatic mission. The "cloud-capped hills" (云山) symbolize both the journey's challenges and its lofty purpose, harmonizing with the zither's earlier spiritual resonance.
Comprehensive Analysis
Centered around the farewell banquet's zither performance, the poem beautifully interweaves sensory contrasts (indoor warmth vs. outdoor chill), musical symbolism, and diplomatic resolve. The progression from celebratory opening to meditative musical interlude culminates in determined departure, creating a perfect fusion of artistic appreciation and official duty characteristic of Tang scholar-officers.
Artistic Innovations
- Sensory Juxtaposition: The interplay between banquet's opulence (candles/censers) and nature's austerity (frost/wind) deepens emotional texture.
- Musical Allegory: Zither pieces serve as metaphors—"Emerald Stream" representing clarity of purpose, "Chu Consort" embodying sentimental attachment.
- Cosmic Resonance: The zither's power to silence stars elevates a social gathering to cosmic significance.
- Confucian Synthesis: Perfectly balances artistic cultivation (zither appreciation) with bureaucratic responsibility (mission commitment).
Insights
The poem exemplifies how Tang literati reconciled aesthetic pursuits with public service. The zither's transcendental notes become spiritual preparation for the impending journey, suggesting that true governance requires both cultural refinement and moral resolve. In our modern context, it reminds us that professional excellence and personal cultivation must harmonize like the perfect zither melody.
Poem translator
Kiang Kanghu
About the Poet
Li Qi (c. 690 - 753 AD) . A renowned Tang dynasty poet, Li Qi traced his ancestral roots to Zhao Commandery (present-day Zhao County, Hebei) but resided primarily in Yingyang (modern Dengfeng, Henan). Li Qi excelled in five- and seven-character verse forms, particularly frontier poems and musical poetry. He maintained close friendships with literary giants like Wang Wei, Gao Shi, and Wang Changling, later being grouped with them as one of the "Four Masters of High Tang" (Gao, Cen, Wang, and Li).
