On the Tower of the City Wall
- Poetry of Li Shangyin

《安定城楼》

On the Tower of the City Wall by Li Shangyin

English Translation

From hundred-foot-high city wall I look afar;

Beyond green willow trees the sandy islets are.

I remember a scholar while young shed vain tears,

And a famed scholar roamed in the spring of his years.

I can't forget white-haired General on the lake floating,

After changing the face of the world he went boating.

An owl might feed on dead rats with good appetite,

But a phoenix would perch on trees of lofty height.

Poem translator: Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)

In 838 CE, after passing the imperial examination, Li Shangyin participated in the Ministry of Rites’ erudite literary examination but was disqualified due to political factionalism. Disheartened, he returned to Jingyuan. During the spring, he ascended the Anding Tower in Jingyuan, gazing at the surrounding scenery and expressing his frustrations with his unfulfilled aspirations, disdain for sycophants, and steadfast commitment to his ideals. This poem reflects the young Li Shangyin’s grand ambitions and his ability to remain unfettered by immediate setbacks.

中文原文( Chinese )

迢递高城百尺楼，绿杨枝外尽汀洲。

贾生年少虚垂泪，王粲春来更远游。

永忆江湖归白发，欲回天地入扁舟。

不知腐鼠成滋味，猜意鹓雏竟未休。

Pre： Homage to the Mountain

Next：For Han Wo, Poet Prodigy I

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.

On the Tower of the City Wall - Poetry of Li Shangyin

On the Tower of the City Wall
- Poetry of Li Shangyin