The northeastern border of China was dark with smoke and dust.
To repel the savage invaders, our generals, leaving their families,
Strode forth together, looking as heroes should look;
And having received from the Emperor his most gracious favour,
They marched to the beat of gong and drum through the Elm Pass.
They circled the Stone Tablet with a line of waving flags,
Till their captains over the Sea of Sand were twanging feathered orders.
The Tartar chieftain's hunting-fires glimmered along Wolf Mountain,
And heights and rivers were cold and bleak there at the outer border;
But soon the barbarians' horses were plunging through wind and rain.
Half of our men at the front were killed, but the other half are living,
And still at the camp beautiful girls dance for them and sing.
...As autumn ends in the grey sand, with the grasses all withered,
The few surviving watchers by the lonely wall at sunset,
Serving in a good cause, hold life and the foeman lightly.
And yet, for all that they have done, Elm Pass is still unsafe.
Still at the front, iron armour is worn and battered thin,
And here at home food-sticks are made of jade tears.
Still in this southern city young wives' hearts are breaking,
While soldiers at the northern border vainly look toward home.
The fury of the wind cuts our men's advance
In a place of death and blue void, with nothingness ahead.
Three times a day a cloud of slaughter rises over the camp;
And all night long the hour-drums shake their chilly booming,
Until white swords can be seen again, spattered with red blood .
. . . When death becomes a duty, who stops to think of fame?
Yet in speaking of the rigours of warfare on the desert
We name to this day Li, the great General, who lived long ago.
Original Poem
「燕歌行」
高适
汉家烟尘在东北，汉将辞家破残贼。
男儿本自重横行，天子非常赐颜色。
摐金伐鼓下榆关，旌旆逶迤碣石间。
校尉羽书飞瀚海，单于猎火照狼山。
山川萧条极边土，胡骑凭陵杂风雨。
战士军前半死生，美人帐下犹歌舞。
大漠穷秋塞草腓，孤城落日斗兵稀。
身当恩遇常轻敌，力尽关山未解围。
铁衣远戍辛勤久，玉箸应啼别离后。
少妇城南欲断肠，征人蓟北空回首。
边庭飘飖那可度，绝域苍茫无所有。
杀气三时作阵云，寒声一夜传刁斗。
相看白刃血纷纷，死节从来岂顾勋！
君不见沙场征战苦，至今犹忆李将军。
Interpretation
This poem was composed in the 26th year of the Kaiyuan era of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (738 AD), during a period of military defense against northern ethnic minorities. At that time, border conflicts were frequent, soldiers endured long and harsh garrison duties, and the battles were brutal. Moved by the bravery and suffering of the soldiers, the poet wrote this poem, which not only portrays the loyalty and fearlessness of the frontier troops but also exposes the cruel reality of the commanders' indulgence and neglect of their soldiers.
First Couplet: “汉家烟尘在东北，汉将辞家破残贼。”
Hàn jiā yān chén zài dōng běi, hàn jiàng cí jiā pò cán zéi.
The war smoke of the Han dynasty rises in the northeast; the generals bid farewell to their homes to crush the remnant bandits.
This couplet sets the scene of the war in the northeast and its purpose—to suppress the bandits. The phrase "bid farewell to their homes" conveys the soldiers' reluctance and sense of duty, creating an atmosphere of urgency.
Second Couplet:“男儿本自重横行，天子非常赐颜色。”
Nán ér běn zì zhòng héng xíng, tiān zǐ fēi cháng cì yán sè.
Men naturally pride themselves on galloping across battlefields, and the emperor bestows special favor and honors.
"Galloping across battlefields" reflects the soldiers' pride in their martial prowess, while "bestows special favor" hints at the emperor's favor, which also sows the seeds of the commanders' overconfidence.
Third Couplet:“摐金伐鼓下榆关，旌旆逶迤碣石间。”
Chuāng jīn fá gǔ xià yú guān, jīng pèi wēi yí jié shí jiān.
The clanging of metal and beating of drums accompany the march to Yuguan; banners stretch winding through the Jieshi Mountains.
This couplet depicts the grand scene of the army's departure, with the "clanging of metal and beating of drums" symbolizing the soldiers' high morale and determination.
Fourth Couplet:“校尉羽书飞瀚海，单于猎火照狼山。”
Xiào wèi yǔ shū fēi hàn hǎi, chán yú liè huǒ zhào láng shān.
Urgent military dispatches fly across the vast desert; the Xiongnu chieftain's hunting fires illuminate Wolf Mountain.
"Urgent military dispatches" emphasize the critical situation, while "hunting fires" symbolize the Xiongnu's military movements, suggesting the enemy's approach and the imminent outbreak of war.
Fifth Couplet:“山川萧条极边土，胡骑凭陵杂风雨。”
Shān chuān xiāo tiáo jí biān tǔ, hú qí píng líng zá fēng yǔ.
The borderlands are desolate and barren; the barbarian cavalry charges like a storm, unstoppable.
These lines use the bleak landscape to highlight the peril of the battlefield, conveying the overwhelming force of the enemy's assault.
Sixth Couplet:“战士军前半死生，美人帐下犹歌舞。”
Zhàn shì jūn qián bàn sǐ shēng, měi rén zhàng xià yóu gē wǔ.
Soldiers fight to the death on the front lines, while beauties sing and dance in the commander's tent.
This couplet employs stark contrast to criticize the commander's indulgence and neglect of the soldiers, highlighting the injustice of the situation.
Seventh Couplet:“大漠穷秋塞草腓，孤城落日斗兵稀。”
Dà mò qióng qiū sāi cǎo féi, gū chéng luò rì dòu bīng xī.
In the deep autumn of the desert, the grass withers; the lonely fortress stands under the setting sun, with fewer and fewer soldiers.
"The dwindling number of soldiers" reflects the heavy casualties and the dire situation of being isolated and outnumbered.
Eighth Couplet:“身当恩遇常轻敌，力尽关山未解围。”
Shēn dāng ēn yù cháng qīng dí, lì jìn guān shān wèi jiě wéi.
The commander, favored by the court, underestimates the enemy and advances recklessly; the soldiers, exhausted, fail to break the siege.
This couplet reveals the root cause of the military defeat—the commander's arrogance and underestimation of the enemy, leading to futile struggles by the soldiers.
Ninth Couplet:“铁衣远戍辛勤久，玉箸应啼别离后。”
Tiě yī yuǎn shù xīn qín jiǔ, yù zhù yīng tí bié lí hòu.
Clad in armor, soldiers endure long years of hardship on distant frontiers; their wives at home have likely wept their eyes dry.
"Clad in armor" depicts the soldiers' long and arduous service, while "wept their eyes dry" uses the metaphor of tears to express the deep sorrow of separation.
Tenth Couplet:“少妇城南欲断肠，征人蓟北空回首。”
Shào fù chéng nán yù duàn cháng, zhēng rén jì běi kōng huí shǒu.
The young wife in the southern city is heartbroken; the soldier in the northern frontier gazes back in vain.
This couplet portrays the pain of separation and the impossibility of reunion, emphasizing the emotional toll of war.
Eleventh Couplet:“边庭飘飖那可度，绝域苍茫无所有。”
Biān tíng piāo yáo nà kě dù, jué yù cāng máng wú suǒ yǒu.
The borderlands are treacherous and desolate; the vast wilderness offers nothing but emptiness.
The harshness of the frontier and the soldiers' struggle are vividly depicted, along with their despair of ever returning home.
Twelfth Couplet:“杀气三时作阵云，寒声一夜传刁斗。”
Shā qì sān shí zuò zhèn yún, hán shēng yī yè chuán diāo dǒu.
From dawn to dusk, the air is thick with the aura of battle; through the cold night, the sound of the night watch bell echoes.
"The aura of battle" creates a tense and fearful atmosphere, while the "night watch bell" adds to the sense of isolation and dread.
Thirteenth Couplet:“相看白刃血纷纷，死节从来岂顾勋！”
Xiāng kàn bái rèn xuè fēn fēn, sǐ jié cóng lái qǐ gù xūn!
Facing blood-stained blades, the soldiers remain unyielding, never swayed by thoughts of glory.
These lines honor the soldiers' bravery and their willingness to die for their country without seeking personal fame.
Fourteenth Couplet:“君不见沙场征战苦，至今犹忆李将军。”
Jūn bù jiàn shā chǎng zhēng zhàn kǔ, zhì jīn yóu yì lǐ jiāng jūn.
Have you not seen the suffering of the battlefield? To this day, people still remember General Li.
The final couplet uses the allusion to General Li Guang to lament the lack of capable commanders, which led to the soldiers' suffering.
Overall Appreciation
The poem employs a layered narrative, beginning with the departure of troops, then depicting the intensity of battle and the soldiers' hardships, followed by the sorrow of separation between soldiers and their families, and concluding with the heroic sacrifice of the soldiers and the remembrance of General Li Guang. The poem is filled with sympathy for the frontier soldiers, criticism of the commanders' indulgence, and regret over the failure to appoint capable leaders. Its themes are profound and thought-provoking.
Writing Characteristics
- Vivid Contrasts, Strong Emotions: The line "Soldiers fight to the death on the front lines, while beauties sing and dance in the commander's tent" starkly contrasts the suffering of soldiers with the indulgence of commanders, creating a powerful emotional impact.
- Skillful Use of Allusions, Deep Meaning: Allusions such as "Yanran not yet conquered" and "General Li" reinforce the poem's critique of the brutality of war and the failure of leadership.
- Grand Momentum, Powerful Style: The poem unfolds from the flames of war on the frontier to the soldiers' struggles and the sorrow of separation, showcasing the tragic beauty of frontier poetry.
Reflections
This poem deeply portrays the bravery and sacrifice of frontier soldiers while exposing the reality of commanders' indulgence and their underestimation of the enemy, which led to disastrous consequences. The poet conveys concern for the nation's fate and profound sympathy for the soldiers. The soldiers fought valiantly, shedding blood for their country, yet their lives were disregarded. Meanwhile, the commanders, favored by the court, indulged in luxury and recklessness, leading to the soldiers' entrapment. This stark contrast reveals that rulers who ignore the hardships of frontline soldiers and indulge in pleasure often become the root cause of defeat.
The poet's remembrance of "General Li" further emphasizes the importance of capable leadership. Li Guang, known for his disciplined and caring leadership, represents an ideal commander—wise, brave, self-disciplined, and compassionate, truly concerned for his soldiers' well-being. Through this allusion, the poet criticizes the arrogance and neglect of contemporary commanders, lamenting the failure to appoint capable leaders, which forced soldiers to fight alone in harsh conditions and perish in vain.
This poem reminds us that a nation's safety depends not only on the bravery of its soldiers but also on the responsibility and integrity of its rulers and commanders. A truly successful leader must possess not only exceptional strategic skills but also the ability to care for their soldiers and the people, uniting them to achieve victory. At the same time, the poem's depiction of the separation and suffering of soldiers and their families urges us to cherish peace, confront the trauma inflicted by war on families and society, and reflect on how to avoid repeating the mistakes of history.poem has a free flow of momentum, the writing force is robust, after the miserable management and to the muddy and no trace. The atmosphere is sad and strong, and the idea is profound and implicit.
Poem translator
Kiang Kanghu
About the poet
Gao Shi (高适), 706 - 765 AD, was a native of Jing County, Hebei Province. In his early years, his family was poor, and he was disappointed in his career. He was famous for his border poems, which are not only numerous and wide in subject matter, but also present a unique style and perspective.
