In the Temple of the First King of Shu
- Poetry of Liu Yuxi

《蜀先主庙》

English Rendering

Even in this world the spirit of a hero

Lives and reigns for thousands of years.

You were the firmest of the pot's three legs;

It was you who maintained the honour of the currency;

You chose a great premier to magnify your kingdom....

And yet you had a son so little like his father

That girls of your country were taken captive

To dance in the palace of the King of Wei.

In the Temple of the First King of Shu by Liu Yuxi
In the Temple of the First King of Shu by Liu Yuxi

Original Text (中文原文)

天地英雄气,千秋尚凛然。

势分三足鼎,业复五铢钱。

得相能开国,生儿不象贤。

凄凉蜀故妓,来舞魏宫前。

Analysis & Context

Five-character-regular-verse

Composed around 817 AD when Liu Yuxi served as prefect of Kuizhou, this poem was inspired by his visit to the Temple of Shu's Founding Emperor. Written during the Tang Dynasty's decline marked by political corruption and suppression of reformers, the work ostensibly commemorates Liu Bei of Shu Han while subtly critiquing contemporary misrule. Through historical allusion, Liu Yuxi expresses reverence for heroic figures alongside profound condemnation of unworthy successors, creating layered political commentary.

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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