English Rendering
I,Li Bai,sit aboard a ship 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.
To Wang Lun Who Comes to Bid Me Farewell
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)
《赠汪伦》#Farewell #Friendship #Parting
Original Text (中文原文)
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。
Analysis & Context
This is the poet's most popular farewell song.
This poem was composed by Tang dynasty poet Li Bai upon parting with Wang Lun at Peach Blossom Pool. During his travels, Li Bai received Wang Lun's generous hospitality, and at their farewell, Wang Lun came specially to see him off. Through this poem, the poet expresses his gratitude to Wang Lun while conveying profound sentiments of reluctant parting.
Reader's Companion
The Essence of the Verse
Classical Chinese poetry thrives on Concision and Ambiguity. Without tense or number, the words create a timeless space where the reader becomes the co-creator of the poem's meaning.
Reading Between the Lines
Look for Contrasts: light and shadow, movement and stillness. Don't just translate the words; feel the Yijing (artistic conception) that lingers long after the last character.
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