The monk from Shu with his green silk lute-case,
Wal king west down O-mei Mountain,
Has brought me by one touch of the strings
The breath of pines in a thousand valleys.
I hear him in the cleansing brook,
I hear him in the icy bells;
And I feel no change though the mountain darkens
And cloudy autumn heaps the sky.
Original Poem
「听蜀僧浚弹琴」
李白
蜀僧抱绿绮，西下峨眉峰。
为我一挥手，如听万壑松。
客心洗流水，馀响入霜钟。
不觉碧山暮，秋云暗几重。
Interpretation
This poem was composed during Li Bai's travels away from his homeland. It depicts a Buddhist monk from Shu playing the renowned lute "Green Silk." Immersed in the music, the poet marvels at the monk's extraordinary skill while projecting his own homesickness and lament about finding kindred spirits into the melodies. The work captures both the magnificent sounds of the lute and the poet's emotional turbulence, showcasing Li Bai's profound understanding of music and philosophical reflections on life.
First Couplet: "蜀僧抱绿绮，西下峨眉峰。"
Shǔ sēng bào lǜ qǐ, xī xià é méi fēng.
A monk from Shu cradles the "Green Silk," descending westward from Mount Emei's peaks.
The poet establishes the musician's identity, origin, and the lute's prestige, highlighting their exceptional qualities while introducing the subsequent musical description.
Second Couplet: "为我一挥手，如听万壑松。"
Wèi wǒ yī huī shǒu, rú tīng wàn hè sōng.
With a sweep of his hand for me, it sounds like roaring pines across countless valleys.
Through a majestic metaphor, the poet portrays the lute's grandeur, demonstrating its awe-inspiring power while indirectly praising the monk's virtuosity.
Third Couplet: "客心洗流水，馀响入霜钟。"
Kè xīn xǐ liú shuǐ, yú xiǎng rù shuāng zhōng.
The music, like flowing water, cleanses my traveler's sorrow; its lingering echoes blend with frost-kissed temple bells.
By describing his personal experience, the poet conveys the music's ethereal and far-reaching quality, which elevates the spirit while also expressing his longing for a true musical companion.
Fourth Couplet: "不觉碧山暮，秋云暗几重。"
Bù jué bì shān mù, qiū yún àn jǐ chóng.
Lost in the music, I don't notice the green mountains dusk; autumn clouds darken layer upon layer.
The poet concludes with scenery, illustrating his deep absorption in the music while using the deepening twilight to underscore his melancholy and homesickness.
Overall Appreciation
Through this musical experience, the poem reveals the lute's overwhelming power and emotional resonance. By comparing the sounds to roaring pines, flowing water, and temple bells, Li Bai captures the music's majestic, crystalline, and profound qualities—not only praising its artistry but also expressing his solitude as a wanderer and his yearning for kindred spirits. The music becomes more than auditory pleasure; it offers spiritual solace, temporarily easing the poet's loneliness.
Literary Characteristics
- Sonic Landscapes: Natural imagery like "roaring pines," "flowing water," and "temple bells" makes the abstract music tangible.
- Emotion in Harmony: The lute's melodies carry both natural beauty and the poet's homesickness and longing for understanding.
- Structural Progression: From the musician's introduction to the music's impact, then to personal reflection, and finally to scenic closure—each step is clear and cohesive.
Insights
This poem reminds us that music is not merely artistic enjoyment but also a balm for the soul. Through the lute's notes, Li Bai channels his emotions, underscoring the rarity of meeting a true musical companion. In modern life, we too can find resonance in music, allowing it to comfort our hearts—just as it urges us to cherish those who truly understand us.
Poem translator
Kiang Kanghu
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.
