Down Zhongnan Mountain to the Kind Pillow and Bowl of Husi
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)

《下终南山过斛斯山人宿置酒》

Down Zhongnan Mountain to the Kind Pillow and Bowl of Husi by Li Bai (Li Po)

English Translation

Down the blue mountain in the evening,

Moonlight was my homeward escort.

Looking back, I saw my path

Lie in levels of deep shadow....

I was passing the farm-house of a friend,

When his children called from a gate of thorn

And led me twining through jade bamboos

Where green vines caught and held my clothes.

And I was glad of a chance to rest

And glad of a chance to drink with my friend....

We sang to the tune of the wind in the pines;

And we finished our songs as the stars went down,

When, I being drunk and my friend more than happy,

Between us we forgot the world.

Five-character-ancient-verse

This poem was composed around 754 AD during Li Bai's service as an academician in Chang'an. Though serving in court, he yearned for freedom and often sought solace in nature to relieve his inner turmoil. The poem depicts the poet's moonlit visit to the recluse Hu Si on Zhongnan Mountain, presenting joyful scenes of immersing in landscapes, drinking freely and singing heartily, expressing his longing for reclusive life and indifferent attitude toward worldly fame.

中文原文( Chinese )

暮从碧山下，山月随人归；

却顾所來径，苍苍横翠微。

相携及田家，童稚开荆扉；

綠竹入幽径，青蘿拂行衣。

欢言得所憩，美酒聊共挥；

长歌吟松风，曲尽河星稀。

我醉君復樂，陶然共忘机。

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Why Chinese poems is so special?: The most distinctive features of Chinese poetry are: concision- many poems are only four lines, and few are much longer than eight; ambiguity- number, tense and parts of speech are often undetermined, creating particularly rich interpretative possibilities; and structure- most poems follow quite strict formal patterns which have beauty in themselves as well as highlighting meaningful contrasts.

How to read a Chinese poem?: Like an English poem, but more so. Everything is there for a reason, so try to find that reason. Think about all the possible connotations, and be aware of the different possibilities of number and tense. Look for contrasts: within lines, between the lines of each couplet and between successive couplets. Above all, don't worry about what the poet meant- find your meaning.

Down Zhongnan Mountain to the Kind Pillow and Bowl of Husi - Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)

Down Zhongnan Mountain to the Kind Pillow and Bowl of Husi
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)