Analysis of "贺新郎·甚矣吾衰矣" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem Hè Xīn Láng·Shèn Yǐ Wú Shuāi Yǐ (贺新郎·甚矣吾衰矣) was written by Xin Qiji (辛弃疾, 1140–1207), a prominent military strategist and poet of the Southern Song Dynasty. Known for his ci (lyric poetry) style, Xin Qiji's works often reflect his unfulfilled ambitions to reclaim northern China from the Jurchen invaders. This particular poem expresses deep melancholy over aging, lost aspirations, and the fleeting nature of life, while also showcasing Xin Qiji's mastery of classical Chinese poetic techniques.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

甚矣吾衰矣。
Shèn yǐ wú shuāi yǐ.
How greatly I have aged!

怅平生、交游零落，只今余几！
Chàng píngshēng, jiāoyóu língluò, zhǐ jīn yú jǐ!
Regretting a lifetime of friendships now scattered—how few remain today!

白发空垂三千丈，一笑人间万事。
Báifà kōng chuí sān qiān zhàng, yī xiào rénjiān wànshì.
My white hair hangs vainly three thousand zhang long; with one laugh, I dismiss all worldly affairs.

问何物、能令公喜？
Wèn hé wù, néng lìng gōng xǐ?
I ask: what thing could bring you joy now?

我见青山多妩媚，料青山见我应如是。
Wǒ jiàn qīngshān duō wǔmèi, liào qīngshān jiàn wǒ yīng rúshì.
I see the green mountains so enchanting; surely they see me the same way.

情与貌，略相似。
Qíng yǔ mào, lüè xiāngsì.
In spirit and form, we are somewhat alike.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "甚矣吾衰矣" – The opening line is a lament on aging, echoing Confucius's words (Analects 7:5) to emphasize the poet's despair over his declining years.

2. "怅平生、交游零落，只今余几！" – Xin Qiji reflects on lost friendships, a common theme in Chinese poetry symbolizing the passage of time and life's impermanence.

3. "白发空垂三千丈" – The exaggerated length of white hair (a zhang is ~3.3 meters) symbolizes wasted years and unfulfilled ambitions.

4. "我见青山多妩媚" – The poet finds solace in nature, personifying the mountains as a kindred spirit. This reflects Daoist ideals of harmony with the natural world.

5. "情与貌，略相似" – The closing lines suggest a spiritual kinship between the poet and the mountains, implying that nature understands him better than humans do.

Themes and Symbolism

• Aging and Regret: The poem grapples with mortality and the pain of unrealized dreams, a recurring theme in Xin Qiji's work due to his thwarted military career.
• Nature as Comfort: The "green mountains" symbolize enduring beauty and tranquility, contrasting with human frailty.
• Loneliness: The "scattered friendships" evoke the Confucian value of loyalty while underscoring isolation.

Cultural Context

Written during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279), a period of political weakness, the poem reflects the frustration of scholars like Xin Qiji who longed to defend China but were sidelined. The blending of Confucian melancholy (e.g., lamenting unfulfilled duty) with Daoist appreciation of nature exemplifies ci poetry's emotional depth.

Conclusion

Hè Xīn Láng·Shèn Yǐ Wú Shuāi Yǐ captures universal emotions—regret, loneliness, and the search for meaning—through vivid imagery and cultural allusions. Its enduring appeal lies in how Xin Qiji turns personal sorrow into a meditation on humanity's place in nature. For modern readers, the poem offers a poignant reminder of resilience: even in despair, beauty persists, like the "enchanting" mountains that mirror our inner selves.

"The green mountains see me as I see them"—perhaps that is the truest companionship of all.