Analysis of "玉楼春·尊前拟把归期说" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

The poem "玉楼春·尊前拟把归期说" (Yù Lóu Chūn · Zūn Qián Nǐ Bǎ Guī Qī Shuō) was written by Ouyang Xiu (欧阳修, 1007–1072), a prominent statesman, historian, and poet of the Northern Song Dynasty. Known for his contributions to ci poetry (lyrical poetry), Ouyang Xiu was a key figure in the Classical Prose Movement, advocating for clarity and simplicity in writing.

This poem is a melancholic reflection on parting, love, and the passage of time, themes that resonate deeply in Chinese literature. It captures the bittersweet emotions of a farewell, blending personal sorrow with philosophical musings on life’s impermanence.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

尊前拟把归期说
Zūn qián nǐ bǎ guī qī shuō
Before the wine, I intended to speak of my return date,

未语春容先惨咽
Wèi yǔ chūn róng xiān cǎn yè
But before speaking, my spring-like face turns to sorrowful sobs.

人生自是有情痴
Rén shēng zì shì yǒu qíng chī
In life, we are by nature fools for love,

此恨不关风与月
Cǐ hèn bù guān fēng yǔ yuè
This regret has nothing to do with the wind or the moon.

离歌且莫翻新阕
Lí gē qiě mò fān xīn què
Do not sing another farewell song,

一曲能教肠寸结
Yī qǔ néng jiào cháng cùn jié
A single tune can twist my heart into knots.

直须看尽洛城花
Zhí xū kàn jìn Luò chéng huā
One must see all the flowers of Luoyang,

始共春风容易别
Shǐ gòng chūn fēng róng yì bié
Only then can parting with the spring wind be easier.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "Before the wine, I intended to speak of my return date"
   - The speaker prepares to discuss his departure but is overcome with emotion. The wine cup (尊, zūn) symbolizes a farewell toast, a common ritual in Chinese culture.

2. "But before speaking, my spring-like face turns to sorrowful sobs"
   - "Spring-like face" (春容, chūn róng) suggests youth and vitality, contrasting sharply with the sudden grief. The shift from joy to sorrow is abrupt, emphasizing the pain of parting.

3. "In life, we are by nature fools for love"
   - A philosophical observation: humans are "情痴" (qíng chī, fools for love), bound by deep emotional attachments.

4. "This regret has nothing to do with the wind or the moon"
   - The wind and moon (风月, fēng yuè) traditionally symbolize romance, but here, the speaker insists his sorrow is deeper—rooted in human nature itself.

5. "Do not sing another farewell song"
   - The speaker cannot bear more reminders of separation. "Farewell song" (离歌, lí gē) was a common poetic trope in Tang and Song dynasties.

6. "A single tune can twist my heart into knots"
   - The physical imagery of "heart in knots" (肠寸结, cháng cùn jié) conveys extreme emotional pain.

7. "One must see all the flowers of Luoyang"
   - Luoyang (洛城, Luò chéng) was famous for its peonies, symbolizing fleeting beauty. The speaker seeks solace in nature before parting.

8. "Only then can parting with the spring wind be easier"
   - Spring wind (春风, chūn fēng) represents renewal, but also impermanence. The line suggests acceptance of life’s transience.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Love and Parting
   - The poem explores the inevitability of separation and the deep emotional bonds that make farewells painful.

2. Impermanence (无常, wú cháng)
   - References to spring, flowers, and wind highlight the transient nature of life, a core concept in Chinese philosophy.

3. Nature as a Mirror of Emotion
   - The flowers of Luoyang and spring wind reflect the speaker’s inner turmoil and eventual resignation.

Cultural Context

• Written during the Song Dynasty, a golden age for ci poetry, this work exemplifies the introspective, emotional style of the period.
• Ouyang Xiu’s poetry often blended Confucian ideals with Daoist acceptance of change, as seen here.
• The farewell theme (送别, sòng bié) was common in classical poetry, reflecting the importance of relationships in Chinese culture.

Conclusion

"玉楼春·尊前拟把归期说" is a masterpiece of emotional depth and lyrical beauty. Ouyang Xiu captures universal human experiences—love, loss, and the passage of time—with poignant simplicity.

For modern readers, the poem serves as a reminder of the enduring nature of grief and the solace found in embracing life’s fleeting moments. Its message transcends time, resonating across cultures and centuries.

"In life, we are by nature fools for love—this regret has nothing to do with the wind or the moon." Some sorrows are simply part of being human.