When the Emperor sought guidance from wise men, from exiles,
He found no calmer w i sdom than that of young Chia
And assigned him the foremost council-seat at midnight,
Yet asked him about gods, instead of about people.
Original Poem:
「宿桐庐江寄广陵旧游」
孟浩然
山暝听猿愁， 沧江急夜流。
风鸣两岸叶， 月照一孤舟。
建德非吾土， 维扬忆旧游。
还将两行泪， 遥寄海西头。
Interpretation:
This poem is the poet left from Chang’an, roaming the Wu-Yue journey at night Tonglu River, for the nostalgia of old friends and made.
The first four lines of the poem write the scene, a drum to depict a moonlit night boat bleak picture: the mountain all night ape cries, the river flow, the tree leaves Xiao Xiao, the lonely boat moonlight, not only to write the scenery of the few desolate, which is also a reflection of the poet’s inner world.
The last four lines of the scene: moonlit night, lonely boat, solo travelers, the heart of the sadness, naturally, the deep nostalgia for friends, and thus tears, want to send their deepest thoughts to the “head of the sea” of Yangzhou, the old man.
The poem seems to be clear and craggy or quiet in its mood, and it carries a heavier sense of loneliness in its emotions. The language of the poem is exquisite, the scenery is picturesque, and the scene is very touching.
About the poet:
Meng Haoran (孟浩然), 689-740 AD, a native of Xiangyang, Hubei, was a famous poet of the Sheng Tang Dynasty. With the exception of one trip to the north when he was in his forties, when he was seeking fame in Chang’an and Luoyang, he spent most of his life in seclusion in his hometown of Lumenshan or roaming around.
Poem translator:
Kiang Kanghu
