Where is the temple of the famous Premier? --
In a deep pine grove near the City of Silk,
With the green grass of spring colouring the steps,
And birds chirping happily under the leaves.
...The third summons weighted him with affairs of state
And to two generations he gave his true heart,
But before he could conquer, he was dead;
And heroes have wept on their coats ever since.
Original Poem:
「蜀相」
杜甫
丞相祠堂何处寻？ 锦官城外柏森森，
映阶碧草自春色， 隔叶黄鹂空好音。
三顾频烦天下计， 两朝开济老臣心。
出师未捷身先死， 长使英雄泪满襟。
Interpretation:
This poem was composed in the spring of the first year of the Shangyuan era of Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty (760 AD). Having fled the chaos of war and arrived in Shu (present-day Sichuan), Du Fu visited the Wuhou Shrine in the southern suburbs of Chengdu to pay homage to Zhuge Liang. At the time, the An Lushan Rebellion was still ongoing, and the nation was in turmoil. Though Du Fu was in Sichuan, his heart remained tied to the fate of the country, and his忧国 (concern for the nation) never waned. This poem was written out of his deep admiration for Zhuge Liang and his profound anxiety about the future of the nation.
First Couplet: "丞相祠堂何处寻？锦官城外柏森森。"
Chéngxiàng cí táng hé chù xún? Jǐn guān chéng wài bǎi sēn sēn.
Where can I find the shrine of Prime Minister Zhuge Liang? It lies outside Chengdu, where the cypress trees grow thick and tall.
The poem begins with a rhetorical question, immediately setting the purpose of the poet's journey and his emotional focus. The word "find" (寻, xún) not only shows the poet's虔诚 (devotion) in making a special trip but also hints at his lament over the turbulent times and the difficulty of finding loyal ministers. The phrase "cypress trees grow thick and tall" (柏森森, bǎi sēn sēn) not only depicts the solemn and serene environment of the shrine but also sets a dignified tone for the sorrowful reflections that follow.
Second Couplet: "映阶碧草自春色，隔叶黄鹂空好音。"
Yìng jiē bì cǎo zì chūn sè, gé yè huáng lí kōng hǎo yīn.
The green grass reflects the steps, naturally showing the colors of spring; the orioles sing sweetly through the leaves, yet their songs seem hollow.
The poet paints a vibrant spring scene, full of color and melodious sounds. However, this表面上的明丽 (surface brightness) contrasts with the poet's inner惆怅 (melancholy). The phrases "naturally showing the colors of spring" (自春色, zì chūn sè) and "their songs seem hollow" (空好音, kōng hǎo yīn) reveal the poet's loneliness and helplessness. Though spring is in full bloom, it offers no hope for the nation's revival; though the orioles' songs are beautiful, they seem futile, reflecting the poet's哀叹 (lament) over Zhuge Liang's unfulfilled ambitions.
Third Couplet: "三顾频烦天下计，两朝开济老臣心。"
Sān gù pín fán tiān xià jì, liǎng cháo kāi jì lǎo chén xīn.
Liu Bei visited three times, seeking strategies to save the realm; Zhuge Liang served two emperors with unwavering loyalty.
These two lines succinctly summarize Zhuge Liang's life and achievements. The phrase "visited three times" (三顾, sān gù) highlights Liu Bei's humility in seeking talent, contrasting with Zhuge Liang's wisdom and ability. "Strategies to save the realm" (天下计, tiān xià jì) refers to the grand plan Zhuge Liang proposed in the Longzhong Dialogue, showcasing his political vision. The phrase "served two emperors with unwavering loyalty" (两朝开济老臣心, liǎng cháo kāi jì lǎo chén xīn) emphasizes Zhuge Liang's lifelong dedication and loyalty, conveying deep respect.
Fourth Couplet: "出师未捷身先死，长使英雄泪满襟。"
Chū shī wèi jié shēn xiān sǐ, cháng shǐ yīng xióng lèi mǎn jīn.
He led campaigns but died before achieving victory, leaving heroes of later ages to weep with sorrow.
The poet laments Zhuge Liang's fate of dying before fulfilling his ambitions. The phrase "died before achieving victory" (未捷身先死, wèi jié shēn xiān sǐ) highlights the tragic nature of Zhuge Liang's life, while "leaving heroes of later ages to weep" (长使英雄泪满襟, cháng shǐ yīng xióng lèi mǎn jīn) shows how this sorrow has lingered in the hearts of later generations. Du Fu's own emotions are woven into this line, expressing his忧思 (anxiety) for the nation's future and his遗憾 (regret) over unfulfilled ideals.
Overall Appreciation
The poem begins with the poet's visit to the shrine, transitions to the scene before his eyes, then reflects on Zhuge Liang's life, and finally laments his tragic end. The structure is natural, with emotions rising and falling in harmony. By contrasting the vibrancy of spring with the渺茫 (uncertainty) of the nation's revival, the poem is enveloped in a heavy atmosphere of tragedy. It not only expresses admiration for Zhuge Liang but also reflects Du Fu's own无奈 (helplessness) in realizing his ambition to "guide the emperor to the virtues of Yao and Shun and restore the purity of customs."
Writing Characteristics
- Use of Contrast: The poet contrasts "naturally showing the colors of spring" with "their songs seem hollow," highlighting the矛盾 (contradiction) between the beauty of nature and the nation's crisis, intensifying his inner melancholy.
- Highly Condensed Language: Phrases like "strategies to save the realm" and "served two emperors" succinctly summarize Zhuge Liang's life and achievements, using concise and powerful language.
- Deep Emotional Expression: Through Zhuge Liang's tragedy, the poet voices his own frustrations of unrecognized talent and忧国忧民 (concern for the nation and its people), conveying genuine and moving emotions.
Insights
This poem, through its remembrance of Zhuge Liang, expresses admiration for the spirit of loyal ministers who dedicate themselves entirely to their cause, even unto death. At the same time, it reflects the poet's忧思 (anxiety) over the turbulent times and the unresolved national crisis. With his profound brushstrokes, Du Fu reminds future generations that while personal ambitions are important, one must also care for the nation and its people, striving to bring true welfare to the world.
Poem translator:
Kiang Kanghu
About the poet
Du Fu (杜甫), 712 - 770 AD, was a great poet of the Tang Dynasty, known as the "Sage of Poetry". Born into a declining bureaucratic family, Du Fu had a rough life, and his turbulent and dislocated life made him keenly aware of the plight of the masses. Therefore, his poems were always closely related to the current affairs, reflecting the social life of that era in a more comprehensive way, with profound thoughts and a broad realm. In his poetic art, he was able to combine many styles, forming a unique style of "profound and thick", and becoming a great realist poet in the history of China.
