To Wang Lun

Introducion:

The four-line poem adpots two abrupt turns in tone. At first the poet says as ever that he is going to take a boat ready to depart when "suddenly" he hears the loud song from the bank..   

 

Text:

赠汪伦

李白(唐)

 

Lǐ Bái chéng zhōu jiāng yù xíng，hū wén àn shàng tà gē shēng。

李 白 乘 舟 将 欲 行， 忽 闻 岸 上 踏 歌 声。

táo huā tán shuǐ shēn qiān chǐ，bù jí Wāng Lún sòng wǒ qíng。

桃 花 潭 水 深 千 尺，不及 汪 伦 送 我 情。

 

To Wang Lun

Li Bai(Tang)

 

As soon as I get on the boat, ready to depart,

I hear from the shore loud song and dancing feet

The pond of Peach Blossoms, although a thousand feet

Is not so deep as Wang Lun's feeling when we part.

 

Comment

The four-line poem adpots two abrupt turns in tone. At first the poet says as ever that he is going to take a boat ready to depart when "suddenly" he hears the loud song from the bank. We can well imagine him first startling and then getting excited at spotting his friend-the singer-who stands by the serene beautiful Peach Blossom Pond. The second turning point is the use of "not so deep as" in the comparison that the pond is not so deep as the friendship between him and his friend-Wang Lun. Moreover, the poet addresses his friend directly by his name to enchance their intimacy. The insertion of his friend's name contributes to the openness, sincerity and independence of his character.