The Willow

Text:

咏   柳

贺之章(唐)

 

 bì yù zhuāng chéng yī shù gāo，wàn tiáo chuí xià lǜ sī tāo。

碧 玉   妆    成 一  树    高， 万   条    垂   下 绿 丝绦。

bù zhī xì yè shuí cái chū，èr yuè chūn fēng sì jiǎn dāo。

不 知细 叶  谁    裁 出，  二 月    春   风   似 剪  刀。

 

The Willow

He Zhizhang(Tang)

 

As in green jade stands tall the slender tree,

From it thousands of silken strings downward swing.

But by whose hands can such delicate foliage be,

If not for the shears-like breeze of early spring?

 

Comment

The poet highlights the grace of the fresh, green willows in early spring by comparing their tender leaves to green jade, and the charm of their swinging, pliable and slender sprays like silken strings. Obviously the above two similes are most appropriate, for the former describes the stillness of the willow leaves whereas the latter, their movement. Where does the gracefulness of the willow sprays result from? The poem answers with the never-to-be-forgotten line: "If not for the shears-like breeze of early spring,the poem indeed gives an exquisite account of the beauty and delicacy of willows and at the same time praises the vigor and gift of spring.