Parting at a Tavern in Jinling
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)

《金陵酒肆留别》

- Last updated: 2024-04-21 10:50:09

中文原文

风吹柳花满店香，吴姬压酒唤客尝。

金陵子弟来相送，欲行不行各尽觞。

请君试问东流水，别意与之谁短长。

English Translation

The tavern's sweetened when wind blows in willow-down,

A Southern maiden urges the guests to taste her wine.

My dear young ftiends have come to see me leave fhe town,

They who stay drink their cups and Iwho leave drink mine.

Oh! ask the river flowing to the east, I pray,

If he is happier to go than I to stay!

By Li Bai (Li Po)

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.

List of Chinese poets