Dance of the Cavalry-Written for Chen Liang
- Poetry of Xin Qiji

《破阵子·为陈同甫赋壮词以寄之》

English Rendering

Drunken,I lit my lamp to see my glaive:

Awake,I heard the horns from tents to tents 

Under the flags,beef grilled 

Was eaten by our warriors brave

And martial airs were played by fifty instruments 

'Twas an autumn manoeuvre in the field.


On gallant steed 

Running full speed,

We'd shoot with twanging bows.

Recovering the lost land for the sovereign,

'Tis everlasting fame that we would win.

But alas!white hair grows!

Dance of the Cavalry-Written for Chen Liang by Xin Qiji
Dance of the Cavalry-Written for Chen Liang by Xin Qiji

Original Text (中文原文)

醉里挑灯看剑,梦回吹角连营。

八百里分麾下炙,五十弦翻塞外声,沙场秋点兵。

马作的卢飞快,弓如霹雳弦惊。

了却君王天下事,赢得生前身后名。

可怜白发生!

Analysis & Context

In this lyric written for his friend Chen Liang who visited him in 1143,the poet recollected their life in the anti-Jurchen army,encouraged his younger friend to fight against the foe and regretted that he himself was growing old.

Reader's Companion

The Essence of the Verse

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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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