In summer sky-high mountains white with snow,
In bitter cold no fragrant flowers blow.
Songs on the flute are heard of Willows Green,
But nowhere is the vernal color seen.
From dawn till dusk to beats of drums they fight;
With saddle in their arms they rest at night.
From scabbard at my waist I'd draw my sword
To kill the chieftain of the Turki horde.
Original Poem:
「塞下曲 · 其一」
李白
五月天山雪，无花只有寒。
笛中闻折柳，春色未曾看。
晓战随金鼓，宵眠抱玉鞍。
愿将腰下剑，直为斩楼兰。
Interpretation:
This is the first poem in Li Bai's series of frontier poems, written during the period of frontier wars in the Tang Dynasty. These poems describe the hard lives of frontier soldiers, their loyalty to their country, and their courageous spirit. This poem, through its depiction of the harsh environment on the frontier and the soldiers' hardships, showcases their resilience and heroism in difficult times. Through sympathy and encouragement for the soldiers, the poet expresses his ambition to achieve great feats for his country.
First Couplet: “五月天山雪，无花只有寒。”
(In May, the Tianshan mountains are covered in snow, no flowers, only cold.)
These lines depict the cold and desolate landscape of the frontier, where even in May, the Tianshan mountains remain snow-covered with no sign of spring flowers, only the biting cold. This imagery emphasizes the harsh environment the frontier soldiers endure, setting the stage for describing their tough lives and heroic spirit.
Second Couplet: “笛中闻折柳，春色未曾看。”
(In the flute, the sound of breaking willows is heard, but the spring colors have not yet been seen.)
These lines depict the frontier soldiers hearing the traditional farewell song “Breaking the Willows” played on the flute, conveying their longing for spring and homesickness. "Breaking the Willows" symbolizes the sorrow of parting, but the soldiers are unable to experience the spring scenery themselves. This contrast between their yearning for spring and the reality of their distant, unachievable homeland deepens the poem’s sadness and nostalgia.
Third Couplet: “晓战随金鼓，宵眠抱玉鞍。”
(At dawn, battle follows the golden drum, at night, they sleep holding the jade saddle.)
These lines describe the tense life of the frontier soldiers. At dawn, they march to battle at the sound of the golden drum, and at night they rest, holding their saddles. This depiction of nonstop marching and fighting emphasizes the hardships of frontier life, showing the soldiers' helplessness while also highlighting their loyalty and determination. The contrast between "dawn" and "night" emphasizes the busyness and exhaustion of their military life.
Fourth Couplet: “愿将腰下剑，直为斩楼兰。”
(I wish to draw my sword at my waist, to slay the Loulan people directly.)
These lines express the inner heroism and patriotic resolve of the frontier soldiers. The wish to "slay Loulan" conveys their strong desire to fight for their country and defeat the enemy. "Loulan" here symbolizes any enemy that threatens the frontier. This line shows the soldiers' steadfastness and ambition in their resolve to defend their country and achieve military success.
Writing Features:
- Environmental Descriptions and Emotional Echoes: The poet uses detailed descriptions of nature to mirror the hardships of the soldiers’ lives. The cold Tianshan mountains and the unreachable spring serve to echo the soldiers’ inner emotions, enhancing the emotional depth of the poem.
- Use of Contrast: The poem employs a strong contrast, such as the comparison between "dawn battle" and "night rest," highlighting the soldiers' daytime battles and nighttime exhaustion, emphasizing their difficult and tense lives.
- Concise and Powerful Language: The poem is succinct and forceful, particularly in the last two lines, which openly express the soldiers' desire for achievement and loyalty to their country, offering an inspiring and stirring sentiment.
Overall Appreciation:
"Song of the Frontier: Part One" captures the resilience and valor of frontier soldiers through vivid imagery of the natural landscape and their challenging military lives. The first four lines set the scene with descriptions of nature and daily struggles, while the final two lines pivot to express the poet's admiration for the soldiers and their heroic aspirations. The poem’s intricate structure, emotional depth, and stark contrasts highlight the soldiers' bravery and steadfastness, leaving a powerful and motivating impression.
Insights:
This poem teaches us the importance of maintaining resolve and courage when facing adversity. Even in difficult environments, we must hold on to the passion and determination to fight for our country and ideals. Moreover, the heroism depicted in the poem reminds us that true warriors are not only brave in battle but also persist in their ideals and loyalty to their mission despite life’s hardships. This spirit of fearlessness and determination is an exemplary model we should learn from in any era.
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.
