The five Holy Mountains have the rank of the Three Dukes.
The other four make a ring, with the Sung Mountain midmost.
To this one, in the fire-ruled south, where evil signs are rife,
Heaven gave divine power, ordaining it a peer.
All the clouds and hazes are hidden in its girdle;
And its forehead is beholden only by a few.
...I came here in autumn, during the rainy season,
When the sky was overcast and the clear wind gone.
I quieted my mind and prayed, hoping for an answer;
For assuredly righteous thinking reaches to high heaven.
And soon all the mountain-peaks were showing me their faces;
I looked up at a pinnacle that held the clean blue sky:
The wide Purple Canopy joined the Celestial Column;
The Stone Granary leapt, while the Fire God stood still.
Moved by this token, I dismounted to offer thanks.
A long path of pine and cypress led to the temple.
Its white walls and purple pillars shone, and the vivid colour
Of gods and devils filled the place with patterns of red and blue.
I climbed the steps and, bending down to sacrifice, besought
That my pure heart might be welcome, in spite of my humble offering.
The old priest professed to know the judgment of the God:
He was polite and reverent, making many bows.
He handed me divinity-cups, he showed me how to use them
And told me that my fortune was the very best of all.
Though exiled to a barbarous land, mine is a happy life.
Plain food and plain clothes are all I ever wanted.
To be prince, duke, premier, general, was never my desire;
And if the God would bless me, what better could he grant than this? -
At night I lie down to sleep in the top of a high tower;
While moon and stars glimmer through the darkness of the clouds...
Apes call, a bell sounds. And ready for dawn,
I see arise, far in the east, the cold bright sun.
Original Poem
「谒衡岳庙遂宿岳寺题门楼」
韩愈
五岳祭秩皆三公， 四方环镇嵩当中。
火维地荒足妖怪， 天假神柄专其雄。
喷云泄雾藏半腹， 虽有绝顶谁能穷？
我来正逢秋雨节， 阴气晦昧无清风。
潜心默祷若有应， 岂非正直能感通？
须臾静扫众峰出， 仰见突兀撑青空。
紫盖连延接天柱， 石廪腾掷堆祝融。
森然魄动下马拜， 松柏一迳趋灵宫。
纷墙丹柱动光彩， 鬼物图画填青红。
升阶伛偻荐脯酒， 欲以菲薄明其衷。
庙内老人识神意， 睢盱侦伺能鞠躬。
手持杯珓导我掷， 云此最吉余难同。
窜逐蛮荒幸不死， 衣食才足甘长终。
侯王将相望久绝， 神纵欲福难为功。
夜投佛寺上高阁， 星月掩映云曈昽。
猿鸣钟动不知曙， 杲杲寒日生于东。
Interpretation
This poem was composed in the first year of the Yongzhen era (805 AD) during the Tang Dynasty, when Han Yu, having been pardoned after his exile to Yangshan in Lianzhou, was on his way to assume the position of Judicial Officer in Jiangling. Passing by Mount Heng, the poet made a special trip to pay homage at the mountain. Against the backdrop of Mount Heng's majestic and awe-inspiring scenery, the poem expresses the poet's frustration and sorrow over the hardships of his political career and his unfulfilled ambitions.
First Couplet: “五岳祭秩皆三公，四方环镇嵩当中。”
Wǔ yuè jì zhì jiē sān gōng, sì fāng huán zhèn sōng dāng zhōng.
The Five Sacred Mountains are revered like the Three Dukes; they encircle the central Mount Song.
These lines highlight Mount Heng's esteemed position among the Five Sacred Mountains, emphasizing its role as the guardian of the south and setting the stage for its mystical and majestic portrayal.
Second Couplet: “火维地荒足妖怪，天假神柄专其雄。”
Huǒ wéi dì huāng zú yāo guài, tiān jiǎ shén bǐng zhuān qí xióng.
The fiery, remote land is rife with demons, so heaven granted it divine authority to dominate the south.
Drawing on myth and legend, the poet imbues Mount Heng with a divine aura, portraying it as a powerful guardian, which underscores its extraordinary status.
Third Couplet: “喷云泄雾藏半腹，虽有绝顶谁能穷？”
Pēn yún xiè wù cáng bàn fù, suī yǒu jué dǐng shuí néng qióng?
Clouds and mist shroud its midsection; even with its towering peak, who can truly comprehend it?
The poet depicts Mount Heng's mysterious and perilous nature, with its clouds and mist symbolizing the uncertainties and challenges of his political career, reflecting the elusive nature of life's difficulties.
Fourth Couplet: “我来正逢秋雨节，阴气晦昧无清风。”
Wǒ lái zhèng féng qiū yǔ jié, yīn qì huì mèi wú qīng fēng.
I arrived during the autumn rains, under a gloomy and oppressive sky, without a breath of fresh wind.
These lines use the gloomy weather to mirror the poet's inner turmoil and his regret at not being able to fully appreciate the mountain's beauty, highlighting his sense of isolation during the journey.
Fifth Couplet: “潜心默祷若有应，岂非正直能感通？”
Qián xīn mò dǎo ruò yǒu yìng, qǐ fēi zhèng zhí néng gǎn tōng?
I prayed silently with a sincere heart; if there is a response, is it not because an upright person can move the divine?
The poet emphasizes his own integrity, suggesting that his prayers might be answered because of his upright character, while also hinting at his frustration with the setbacks in his political career.
Sixth Couplet: “须臾静扫众峰出，仰见突兀撑青空。”
Xū yú jìng sǎo zhòng fēng chū, yǎng jiàn tū wù chēng qīng kōng.
In a moment, the clouds cleared, and the peaks emerged, towering into the blue sky like pillars.
This couplet describes the clearing of the clouds, symbolizing hope and the arrival of light, and reflects the poet's inner longing for a brighter future.
Seventh Couplet: “紫盖连延接天柱，石廪腾掷堆祝融。”
Zǐ gài lián yán jiē tiān zhù, shí lǐn téng zhì duī zhù róng.
The Purple Canopy Peak stretches to the Sky Pillar; the Stone Granary Peak rises steeply beside the Zhu Rong Peak.
Through vivid descriptions of Mount Heng's landmarks, the poet showcases its grandeur, setting the stage for the homage to the mountain god.
Eighth Couplet: “森然魄动下马拜，松柏一迳趋灵宫。”
Sēn rán pò dòng xià mǎ bài, sōng bǎi yī jìng qū líng gōng.
Overwhelmed by its solemnity, I dismounted to bow, then followed a path lined with pines and cypresses to the sacred temple.
The poet's reverence for the mountain god is evident in his solemn actions, as he approaches the temple with deep respect.
Ninth Couplet: “纷墙丹柱动光彩，鬼物图画填青红。”
Fēn qiáng dān zhù dòng guāng cǎi, guǐ wù tú huà tián qīng hóng.
The temple's white walls and red pillars gleam with brilliance; its walls are filled with colorful paintings of spirits and deities.
The temple's splendor and mystical atmosphere highlight Mount Heng's sacred and majestic nature.
Tenth Couplet: “升阶伛偻荐脯酒，欲以菲薄明其衷。”
Shēng jiē yǔ lǚ jiàn pú jiǔ, yù yǐ fēi bó míng qí zhōng.
I climbed the steps, bowed, and offered dried meat and wine; though the offerings were modest, they expressed my sincere heart.
The poet's humble offerings reflect his genuine devotion and upright character.
Eleventh Couplet: “庙内老人识神意，睢盱侦伺能鞠躬。”
Miào nèi lǎo rén shí shén yì, suī xū zhēn sì néng jū gōng.
An old man in the temple, who seemed to understand the god's will, looked around reverently and bowed deeply.
The old man's actions enhance the temple's sacred atmosphere, emphasizing the mountain god's authority and mystery.
Twelfth Couplet: “手持杯珓导我掷，云此最吉余难同。”
Shǒu chí bēi jiào dǎo wǒ zhì, yún cǐ zuì jí yú nán tóng.
He held divination blocks and guided me to cast them, saying this was the most auspicious sign, unmatched by others.
Although the divination result was auspicious, the poet did not feel joy, marking a turning point in his emotions.
Thirteenth Couplet: “窜逐蛮荒幸不死，衣食才足甘长终。”
Cuàn zhú mán huāng xìng bù sǐ, yī shí cái zú gān cháng zhōng.
Exiled to the wilds, I survived by luck; with just enough food and clothing, I am content to live out my days.
The poet consoles himself with survival and basic sustenance, but his words reveal his frustration with his unfulfilled political ambitions.
Fourteenth Couplet: “侯王将相望久绝，神纵欲福难为功。”
Hóu wáng jiàng xiàng wàng jiǔ jué, shén zòng yù fú nán wéi gōng.
My hopes for nobility and high office are long gone; even if the gods wish to bless me, it would be of little use.
The poet resigns himself to the futility of seeking fame and fortune, shifting his focus to inner peace.
Fifteenth Couplet: “夜投佛寺上高阁，星月掩映云曈昽。”
Yè tóu fó sì shàng gāo gé, xīng yuè yǎn yìng yún tóng lóng.
At night, I lodged in a Buddhist temple and climbed its high tower, where stars and the moon shone through the clouds.
The tranquil and cold night scene reflects the poet's melancholy and his contemplation of his troubled career.
Sixteenth Couplet: “猿鸣钟动不知曙，杲杲寒日生于东。”
Yuán míng zhōng dòng bù zhī shǔ, gǎo gǎo hán rì shēng yú dōng.
Amid the cries of monkeys and the tolling of bells, I did not notice the dawn, until the cold sun rose in the east.
The breaking dawn symbolizes hope and resilience, even in the face of hardship.
Overall Appreciation
The poem revolves around the poet's journey to Mount Heng, blending scenery, narrative, and emotion into a tightly structured and layered work. The poet transitions from marveling at the mountain's grandeur to the disappointment of the "most auspicious" divination result, shifting from hope to resignation. The poem concludes with the rising sun, symbolizing both the poet's struggles and the faint glimmer of hope. The interplay of reverence for the mountain god and lament over political setbacks creates a unique style that balances intensity and restraint.
Writing Characteristics
- Emotion Woven into Scenery, Profound Meaning: The poet uses Mount Heng's majesty and the shrouding clouds to symbolize his political struggles, while the "most auspicious" divination reflects the unpredictability of fate and life's uncertainties.
- Vivid Allusions, Enhanced Imagery: References to "fiery land" and "Zhu Rong Peak" deepen the mountain's mystique and sacred atmosphere.
- Emotional Swings, Dynamic Rhythm: The poem shifts from disappointment to hope, then to resignation, creating a powerful emotional journey.
Insights
This poem conveys the poet's reflections on the unpredictability of fate and the hardships of political life. Faced with life's challenges, the poet ultimately chooses to let go of fame and embrace simplicity, offering a profound lesson in resilience. Life may be filled with difficulties, but by holding firm to one's principles and maintaining integrity, one can find hope even in the darkest times.
Poem translator
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet
Han Yu (韩愈), 768 - 824 AD, was a native of Luoyang. Orphaned at the age of three, he was raised by his sister-in-law and was later admitted as a scholar. Han Yu's poems strive to be innovative and majestic, with a unique style that had a great influence on Song poetry writing.
