Send-off to Xin Jian at Hibiscus Tower

Send-off to Xin Jian at Hibiscus Tower

Introducion:

An overnight downpour renders the sky and the river hazy and blurred. After his friend leaves, the poet feels all the more lonely and melancholy.    

 

Text：

Fú Róng Lóu Sòng Xīn Jiàn

芙   蓉    楼      送    辛   渐

 

 

王昌龄(唐)

 

Hán yǔ lián jiāng yè rù wú ，píng míng sòng kè chǔ shān gū 。

寒   雨 连   江    夜 入吴 ， 平   明    送    客  楚    山   孤 。

Luò yáng qīn yǒu rú xiāng wèn，yí piàn bīng xīn zài yù hú 。

洛    阳    亲  友   如 相    问  ，一 片   冰   心  在  玉 壶。

 

Send-off to Xin Jian at Hibiscus Tower

Wang Changling(Tang)

 

Amid the nightly haze of cold rains and streams I came to Wu,

And saw my friend in dawn leave the lonely mountain of Chu.

Oh, Friend, when folks in Luoyang inquires, let it be said,

My heart is as bright as crystal ice in the jar of jade.

 

Comment:

 

An overnight downpour renders the sky and the river hazy and blurred. After his friend leaves, the poet feels all the more lonely and melancholy. The cold rain on the river and the solitary mountain make the farewell  even sadder  and more dejected. Nevertheless, he is not downhearted when comparing himself to a piece of crystal ice in the jar of jade to denote his pure, noble and devoted heart and assure his kinsfolk in his hometown Luoyang."My heart is as bright a crystal ice in the jar of jade" has all along been considered a masterful line to express pure and noble heart for its lofty and inspiring tone.