Analysis of "御街行" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"御街行" (Yù Jiē Xíng, "Procession on the Imperial Street") is a famous cí (lyric poem) by Fan Zhongyan (范仲淹, 989–1052), a prominent statesman, poet, and scholar of the Northern Song Dynasty. Known for his moral integrity and literary talent, Fan Zhongyan's works often reflect themes of duty, sorrow, and the transience of life.

This poem is a melancholic reflection on love and separation, blending vivid natural imagery with deep emotional resonance. It is celebrated for its delicate balance of personal sorrow and universal longing, making it a masterpiece of Song Dynasty poetry.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

纷纷坠叶飘香砌
Fēn fēn zhuì yè piāo xiāng qì
Leaves fall thick and fast, drifting over fragrant steps,

夜寂静，寒声碎
Yè jì jìng, hán shēng suì
The night is silent, the cold sounds fragmented.

真珠帘卷玉楼空
Zhēn zhū lián juǎn yù lóu kōng
The beaded curtain is rolled up—the jade tower stands empty,

天淡银河垂地
Tiān dàn yín hé chuí dì
The pale sky stretches, the Milky Way hangs low to earth.

年年今夜，月华如练，长是人千里
Nián nián jīn yè, yuè huá rú liàn, cháng shì rén qiān lǐ
Year after year on this night, the moonlight like silk, yet we remain a thousand miles apart.

愁肠已断无由醉
Chóu cháng yǐ duàn wú yóu zuì
My sorrowful heart is already broken—no way to drown it in wine,

酒未到，先成泪
Jiǔ wèi dào, xiān chéng lèi
Before the wine reaches my lips, it turns to tears.

残灯明灭枕头欹
Cán dēng míng miè zhěn tou yī
The flickering lamp casts shadows on my tilted pillow,

谙尽孤眠滋味
Ān jìn gū mián zī wèi
I’ve tasted to the full the bitterness of lonely sleep.

都来此事，眉间心上，无计相回避
Dōu lái cǐ shì, méi jiān xīn shàng, wú jì xiāng huí bì
All of this—between my brows, within my heart—there’s no way to escape it.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "Leaves fall thick and fast…"
   - The poem opens with autumnal imagery, symbolizing decay and the passage of time. The "fragrant steps" suggest a once-beautiful place now abandoned.

2. "The night is silent…"
   - The "cold sounds" evoke a chilling loneliness, reinforcing the desolate mood.

3. "The beaded curtain is rolled up…"
   - The empty "jade tower" symbolizes a luxurious but lifeless space, perhaps a metaphor for a lost love or unfulfilled longing.

4. "The pale sky stretches…"
   - The Milky Way "hanging low" creates a cosmic scale for the speaker’s sorrow, suggesting their grief is as vast as the heavens.

5. "Year after year on this night…"
   - The unchanging moonlight contrasts with the speaker’s enduring separation, emphasizing the cruel passage of time.

6. "My sorrowful heart is already broken…"
   - The speaker’s pain is so deep that even wine—a traditional solace—cannot numb it.

7. "The flickering lamp casts shadows…"
   - The dying lamp and disheveled bed reflect the speaker’s restless, sleepless grief.

8. "All of this—between my brows, within my heart…"
   - The final lines capture the inescapable nature of sorrow, which lingers both physically and emotionally.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Separation and Longing
   - The poem dwells on the pain of distance, whether from a lover, friend, or homeland.

2. Nature’s Indifference
   - The moon, leaves, and stars remain beautiful, contrasting with human suffering.

3. Loneliness
   - The empty tower, flickering lamp, and solitary bed all reinforce the speaker’s isolation.

4. Wine as a Failed Remedy
   - Wine, a common poetic trope for forgetting sorrow, fails here—tears come before intoxication.

Cultural Context

Fan Zhongyan wrote during the Song Dynasty, a period of great cultural flourishing but also political turmoil. As a high-ranking official, he often balanced duty with personal emotion, which is reflected in this poem.

The cí form, sung to musical tunes, allowed poets to express intimate emotions more freely than rigid shī (classical poetry). "御街行" exemplifies this, blending lyrical beauty with profound melancholy.

Conclusion

"御街行" is a timeless meditation on love and loss, capturing the universal ache of separation. Fan Zhongyan’s mastery of imagery and emotion makes this poem resonate across centuries. Even today, readers can connect with its themes of longing and the struggle to endure sorrow.

In a world still marked by distance—whether physical or emotional—this poem reminds us that grief, though painful, is a shared human experience. Its beauty lies not just in its words, but in its ability to speak to the heart.