Analysis of "与梦得沽酒闲饮且约后期" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "与梦得沽酒闲饮且约后期" (Yǔ Mèngdé Gū Jiǔ Xián Yǐn Qiě Yuē Hòuqī) was written by the renowned Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi (白居易, 772–846). Bai Juyi was a leading figure of the New Yuefu Movement, known for his accessible yet profound poetry that often reflected social issues and personal emotions.

This poem captures a casual yet deeply meaningful moment between Bai Juyi and his close friend Liu Yuxi (刘禹锡, courtesy name Mengde). It reflects the Tang Dynasty literati culture of friendship, wine, and the appreciation of life's fleeting joys. The poem is celebrated for its warmth, simplicity, and philosophical undertones about companionship and the passage of time.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

与梦得沽酒闲饮且约后期
Yǔ Mèngdé gū jiǔ xián yǐn qiě yuē hòuqī
Drinking Idly with Mengde and Making Plans to Meet Again

少时犹不忧生计
Shǎoshí yóu bù yōu shēngjì
In youth, I never worried about making a living,

老后谁能惜酒钱
Lǎo hòu shéi néng xī jiǔ qián
But now in old age, who grudges spending on wine?

共把十千沽一斗
Gòng bǎ shí qiān gū yī dǒu
Together we spend ten thousand coins on a gallon of wine,

相看七十欠三年
Xiāng kàn qīshí qiàn sān nián
Gazing at each other—nearly seventy, just three years short.

闲征雅令穷经史
Xián zhēng yǎ lìng qióng jīngshǐ
Leisurely reciting elegant verses, exhausting classics and histories,

醉听清吟胜管弦
Zuì tīng qīng yín shèng guǎnxián
Drunk, listening to pure chanting—better than strings and flutes.

更待菊黄家酝熟
Gèng dài jú huáng jiā yùn shú
Let us wait till chrysanthemums yellow and homebrew matures,

共君一醉一陶然
Gòng jūn yī zuì yī táorán
To share a drunken bliss with you, lost in joy.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "In youth, I never worried about making a living"
   - Reflects Bai Juyi’s nostalgia for carefree youth, contrasting with the realities of aging.

2. "But now in old age, who grudges spending on wine?"
   - Suggests that in later years, material concerns fade, and the joy of companionship becomes paramount.

3. "Together we spend ten thousand coins on a gallon of wine"
   - Hyperbolic spending on wine symbolizes valuing friendship over wealth.

4. "Gazing at each other—nearly seventy, just three years short"
   - A poignant acknowledgment of aging and the fleeting nature of time.

5. "Leisurely reciting elegant verses, exhausting classics and histories"
   - Depicts the literati ideal of scholarly exchange and refined leisure.

6. "Drunk, listening to pure chanting—better than strings and flutes"
   - Highlights the beauty of poetic recitation over formal music, emphasizing intellectual and emotional connection.

7. "Let us wait till chrysanthemums yellow and homebrew matures"
   - Chrysanthemums symbolize autumn and longevity, while homebrew signifies warmth and hospitality.

8. "To share a drunken bliss with you, lost in joy"
   - The poem concludes with a promise of future happiness, embodying the Taoist ideal of taoran (陶然, carefree contentment).

Themes and Symbolism

1. Friendship and Companionship
   - The poem celebrates deep camaraderie, a recurring theme in Bai Juyi’s works.

2. Aging and Transience
   - The passage of time is acknowledged with both melancholy and acceptance.

3. The Joy of Simplicity
   - Wine, poetry, and conversation are elevated as the true pleasures of life.

4. Symbolism
   - Wine: Represents conviviality and the savoring of the present.
   - Chrysanthemums: Symbolize autumn, resilience, and the later years of life.

Cultural Context

• Tang Dynasty Literati Culture: Scholars like Bai Juyi and Liu Yuxi valued wine, poetry, and intellectual discourse as expressions of wenren (文人, cultured gentlemen) ideals.
• Philosophical Influences: The poem blends Confucian appreciation for friendship with Taoist carpe diem philosophy.
• Historical Background: Bai Juyi wrote this during his retirement, reflecting on a life of political ups and downs, now soothed by friendship.

Conclusion

"与梦得沽酒闲饮且约后期" is a tender ode to friendship, aging, and the simple joys that make life meaningful. Bai Juyi’s effortless style and emotional depth make this poem resonate across centuries. In today’s fast-paced world, its message—to cherish companionship and find joy in the present—remains profoundly relevant.

For readers exploring Chinese poetry, this piece offers a perfect glimpse into the heart of Tang Dynasty literary culture, where every shared cup of wine carried the weight of philosophy and every verse was a bridge between souls.