The critic Yu Qiuyu wrote that Tang poetry layers a whole new dimension of experience on top of our lives, which readers can always draw on for inspiration and consolation. I love big claims like that - even if they seem hyperbolic, they capture something of the *power* of the poetry, which more sober and restrained comment might just miss.
This history makes for fascinating reading, “Thank You” for that.
Someday I’m going to get me an estate: I’m more determined than ever after reading this story.
Lakes are usually permanent fixtures in the landscape, so I wonder if the location of Lake Qi, as known then, is known today.
The person leaving seems to be leaving at night which I find strange. Conventional wisdom, holds that travelers generally leave in the morning when setting out on a journey.
For poets, though, I guess it’s more poetic to have someone
With all due respect, 青 does not mean purple, it’s more green or blue green, and 送 means more to see someone off, though not unrelated to leave. And doesn’t 夫君 mean husband? Although I admit I’m not sure how to translate that. 對不起， 我不是文言文專家.
Discussion is always welcome! 送 is a big problem in translation into English. It's a massive feature of social poetry, but there just doesn't seem to be a good word or phrase in English to match it. It's a weird word, because it turns the focus away from the traveller, and onto the one who remains. It highlights their role as a host, just at the moment that the guest is leaving...
In many cases, farewell/goodbye/parting will do, but you're right that there are always some subtleties of 送ing that remain untranslated.
For those interested in Chinese poetry there is an interesting translation of 千家詩 by Red Pine called Poems of the Masters. The Chinese and English are side by side.
The critic Yu Qiuyu wrote that Tang poetry layers a whole new dimension of experience on top of our lives, which readers can always draw on for inspiration and consolation. I love big claims like that - even if they seem hyperbolic, they capture something of the *power* of the poetry, which more sober and restrained comment might just miss.
This history makes for fascinating reading, “Thank You” for that.
Someday I’m going to get me an estate: I’m more determined than ever after reading this story.
Lakes are usually permanent fixtures in the landscape, so I wonder if the location of Lake Qi, as known then, is known today.
The person leaving seems to be leaving at night which I find strange. Conventional wisdom, holds that travelers generally leave in the morning when setting out on a journey.
For poets, though, I guess it’s more poetic to have someone
leaving at dusk.
Poetic license rules.
These guys were having great fun on the estate.
With all due respect, 青 does not mean purple, it’s more green or blue green, and 送 means more to see someone off, though not unrelated to leave. And doesn’t 夫君 mean husband? Although I admit I’m not sure how to translate that. 對不起， 我不是文言文專家.
Discussion is always welcome! 送 is a big problem in translation into English. It's a massive feature of social poetry, but there just doesn't seem to be a good word or phrase in English to match it. It's a weird word, because it turns the focus away from the traveller, and onto the one who remains. It highlights their role as a host, just at the moment that the guest is leaving...
In many cases, farewell/goodbye/parting will do, but you're right that there are always some subtleties of 送ing that remain untranslated.
So for the last line how about, “Verdant hills by wreaths of white clouds spun.”
For those interested in Chinese poetry there is an interesting translation of 千家詩 by Red Pine called Poems of the Masters. The Chinese and English are side by side.
That's a lovely book. I'm hoping to publish in a similar format one day.