Farewell on River Yi by Luo Bin-wang

The hero left his friend
With angry hair on end.
The martyr's now no more,
The waves cold as of yore.

Original Poem:

「于易水送人一绝」
此地别燕丹，壮士发冲冠​。
昔时人已没​，今日水犹寒。

骆宾王

Interpretation:

"Farewell on River Yi" is a five-character quatrain written by Luo Binwang, a poet from the early Tang Dynasty. The poem recalls the historical tale of Jing Ke’s heroic farewell at the Yi River and connects it to the poet's own feelings of unrecognized talent. Through historical allusion, the poet expresses a mixture of lament over his unfulfilled aspirations and a desire to inspire his friend, symbolizing both personal frustrations and national aspirations. The poem is rich in historical reflection and the poet’s disillusionment with contemporary realities, conveying a sense of helplessness and sorrow over unachieved ambitions.

1. "此地别燕丹，壮士发冲冠"
   At this place, Jing Ke bids farewell to Prince Yan Dan, his heroic spirit so intense that his hair stands on end.
   The opening line sets the scene by referencing the historical moment of Jing Ke’s farewell at the Yi River. The vivid image of Jing Ke’s passionate resolve as his hair stands on end reflects the poet’s admiration for the heroism and resolve in the face of danger.
2. "昔时人已没，今日水犹寒"
   The hero of the past has long passed away, yet the water of the Yi River remains cold and desolate today.
   This couplet contrasts the past and present, expressing sorrow for the loss of heroes and frustration over the unchanged, cold reality. The phrase "the water remains cold" not only describes the unchanging nature of the Yi River but also metaphorically reflects the poet’s own feelings of bitterness and helplessness.

Stylistic Features

1. Blending Emotion and Scene, Deep Significance
   The poet uses the recurring "cold" imagery to connect the natural environment with his inner emotions. The intertwining of Jing Ke’s heroism and the poet’s frustrations creates a poignant artistic effect that blends past and present, evoking both historical admiration and contemporary disillusionment.
2. Concise Language, Sharp Contrast
   The poem is brief yet profound, with each word chosen carefully for maximum impact. The first couplet refers to the past, while the second couplet contrasts it with the present, using a stark juxtaposition to highlight the eternal nature of historical tragedies and the poet's helplessness in the face of current reality.
3. Breaking Tradition, Far-reaching Themes
   The poet breaks away from the typical farewell poetry style by not directly describing the scene of departure. Instead, he uses historical allusion to comment on the present, presenting a lofty and profound sentiment that conveys the poet’s sorrow over his unfulfilled aspirations and the failure of his nation’s dreams.

Overall Appreciation

This poem cleverly combines the heroic spirit of Jing Ke with the poet's personal feelings of frustration. Standing by the Yi River to send off a friend, the poet is reminded of past heroes. The stirring emotions of the past hero’s self-sacrifice blend with the current disillusionment that no such heroes remain today. The poem ends with the word "cold," which deepens the poem's emotional resonance, connecting the coldness of the water to the poet's own cold and sorrowful heart.

Insights

This poem inspires us to reflect on both the past and present, urging us to cherish those with similar aspirations around us. Jing Ke’s bravery reminds us that, even in the face of adversity, we must remain steadfast and pursue our ideals. At the same time, the poet's own frustration at being unrecognized serves as a warning: society must be mindful to identify and nurture talent, ensuring that those with burning passion are not stifled by the coldness of reality.

Poem translator:

Kiang Kanghu

About the poet:

Luo Binwang (骆宾王), circa 640 - 684 A.D., was a native of Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, who was able to write poetry at the age of seven. He was one of the “Four Heroes of the Early Tang Dynasty”, together with Wang Bo and other poets and writers. He was one of the “Four Heroes of the Early Tang Dynasty”. His poems were characterized by seven lines of poetry, with many words of grief and anger.