English Rendering
The River Bian flows eastward, overwhelmed with spring;
To dust have gone ruined palaces and their king.
Don't gaze afar from the long bank of willow trees!
The willow down will grieve your heart when blows the breeze.
Song of River Bian
- Poetry of Li Yi
《汴河曲》
Original Text (中文原文)
汴水东流无限春，隋家宫阙已成尘。
行人莫上长堤望，风起杨花愁杀人。
Analysis & Context
Li Yi composed this poem during the mid-Tang Dynasty while serving as a Registrar in Zheng County. Witnessing societal corruption and the suffering of the people, he expressed his sentiments through the scenery of the Bian River. The poem laments the rise and fall of the Sui Dynasty, using historical events as an allegory to reflect on the current political situation. The Bian River and its surrounding landscapes, including the remnants of the Sui dike and palaces, serve as witnesses to history’s vicissitudes, inspiring the poet's profound reflections.
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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