I, Li Bai, sit in a boat about to go,
When suddenly on shore your farewell songs overflow.
However deep the Lake of Peach Blossoms may be,
It's not so deep, O Wang Lun, as your love for me.
Original Poem:
「赠汪伦」
李白
李白乘舟将欲行，忽闻岸上踏歌声。
桃花潭水深千尺，不及汪伦送我情！
Interpretation:
This poem was written by the Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai during his time at the Peach Blossom Pool, just before his departure. During his stay, Wang Lun had warmly hosted him, and as Li Bai was about to leave, Wang Lun came to bid him farewell. In this poem, Li Bai expresses his deep gratitude and sorrow at parting, reflecting the strong friendship between them.
- First Two Lines:
"李白乘舟将欲行，忽闻岸上踏歌声。"
Li Bai was about to board his boat and leave, when suddenly he heard the sound of a boat song coming from the shore.
These lines describe the moment of Li Bai preparing to leave, when he is unexpectedly touched by the song of farewell. This not only introduces the emotions of the farewell but also highlights Li Bai’s surprise and deep emotion upon hearing the song. - Last Two Lines:
"桃花潭水深千尺，不及汪伦送我情！"
The water of the Peach Blossom Pool is a thousand feet deep, yet it is not as deep as Wang Lun's feelings for me!
In these lines, the poet uses the depth of the Peach Blossom Pool as a metaphor to illustrate the depth of Wang Lun’s friendship. Despite the vastness of the pool, the poet emphasizes that Wang Lun’s emotions are even more profound and immeasurable.
Writing Features
- Concise and Powerful Language
Li Bai employs simple yet powerful language, conveying a strong sense of emotion through vivid descriptions and contrasts. The poem expresses deep affection for Wang Lun in a few short lines, showcasing the poet's ability to convey complex feelings succinctly. - Use of Metaphor ("Comparing to Objects")
The poet skillfully uses the metaphor of the Peach Blossom Pool’s depth to concretize the abstract concept of friendship. This comparison gives life to the poet’s feelings, making the intangible emotion of friendship more tangible and impactful. - Simplicity with Depth
The poem’s language is plain, but beneath this simplicity lies profound emotion. This illustrates that simplicity in expression does not diminish the emotional depth, and in fact, it can make the sentiment more direct and moving.
Overall Appreciation
The poem portrays the deep emotional moment of parting and the strong affection between Li Bai and Wang Lun through the depiction of the farewell song and the metaphor of the deep Peach Blossom Pool. The first two lines introduce the setting and the emotional surprise of hearing the song, while the last two lines use the depth of the water to elevate the sentiment, making the friendship seem even more profound. Li Bai’s emotions are genuine and intense, and the simplicity of the language only enhances the poem's expressiveness. Through the metaphorical comparison, the poet brings abstract emotions to life, creating a poem that is both simple in form and rich in meaning.
Insights
Friendship and Farewell
The poem also emphasizes how a simple farewell, accompanied by a heartfelt gesture (such as the farewell song), can symbolize deep emotional bonds. In expressing our feelings of affection, sometimes a small, simple gesture carries more meaning than grand words.
Simplicity in Expression
This poem teaches us that simplicity in language often has a greater impact than overly complex expressions. Direct, clear language can be just as powerful in conveying deep emotions.
Metaphors Bring Emotions to Life
The use of metaphor, particularly comparing abstract emotions to tangible objects (like the depth of the pool), helps turn intangible feelings into concrete imagery. This technique makes the emotions more relatable and poignant.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong(许渊冲)
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.
