Parting at a Tavern in Jinling
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)
《金陵酒肆留别》This poem was composed as Li Bai prepared to leave Jinling (modern-day Nanjing), where his friends held a farewell banquet for him. Using the beautiful spring scenery and the lively atmosphere of the tavern, the poet expresses his reluctance to part with his friends. This is a classic farewell poem, blending the sorrow of parting with a sense of free-spiritedness and boldness.
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!
中文原文( Chinese )
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。
- 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.
Famous Chinese Poems
- A Song of the Spring Palace
- Poems on Army Life IV
- Poems on Army Life V
- West Palace, Autumn
- Hearing the River-Song
- The Lotus Gatherers
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