Analysis of "赠别·其一" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"赠别·其一" (Zèng Bié · Qí Yī), or "Farewell Poem No. 1," is a poignant farewell poem written by the Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu (杜牧, 803–852). Du Mu was a celebrated poet known for his lyrical and evocative style, often blending melancholy with refined elegance. This poem captures the bittersweet emotions of parting, a common theme in classical Chinese poetry, where farewells were significant life events due to the vast distances and uncertain reunions.

The poem is part of a two-poem series dedicated to bidding farewell to a beloved courtesan. Its delicate imagery and emotional depth make it a masterpiece of Tang poetry, reflecting the refined aesthetics and sentimentalism of the era.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

娉娉袅袅十三余
Pīng pīng niǎo niǎo shí sān yú
Graceful and delicate, just past thirteen years,

豆蔻梢头二月初
Dòu kòu shāo tóu èr yuè chū
Like cardamom at the tip of a branch in early February.

春风十里扬州路
Chūn fēng shí lǐ Yángzhōu lù
The spring breeze blows for ten miles on Yangzhou’s roads,

卷上珠帘总不如
Juǎn shàng zhū lián zǒng bù rú
Yet rolling up beaded curtains, none compare to her.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "Graceful and delicate, just past thirteen years"
   - The opening line paints a vivid picture of a young woman on the cusp of adolescence, emphasizing her elegance and youth. The repetition of pīng pīng niǎo niǎo mimics her gentle, swaying movements.

2. "Like cardamom at the tip of a branch in early February"
   - The "cardamom" (豆蔻, dòu kòu) is a metaphor for youthful beauty, specifically referencing a girl in her early teens. In Chinese culture, cardamom symbolizes purity and tenderness, often associated with young women.

3. "The spring breeze blows for ten miles on Yangzhou’s roads"
   - Yangzhou was a prosperous city in the Tang Dynasty, famous for its beauty and pleasure quarters. The "spring breeze" suggests renewal and fleeting joy, contrasting with the sorrow of parting.

4. "Yet rolling up beaded curtains, none compare to her"
   - The "beaded curtains" symbolize the luxurious yet transient world of courtesans. Despite the splendor of Yangzhou, the poet asserts that no one matches the grace of the woman he must leave behind.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Transience of Beauty and Youth
   - The poem highlights the fleeting nature of youth, comparing the girl to a delicate cardamom blossom that blooms briefly in early spring.

2. Love and Longing
   - The poet’s admiration is palpable, yet the impending separation casts a melancholic shadow. The contrast between Yangzhou’s vibrant scenery and his beloved’s unmatched beauty deepens the sense of loss.

3. Nature as Metaphor
   - Du Mu frequently uses natural imagery (spring breeze, cardamom) to evoke emotions, a hallmark of classical Chinese poetry.

Cultural Context

• Tang Dynasty Aesthetics: The Tang Dynasty prized elegance, restraint, and emotional subtlety in poetry. Du Mu’s work exemplifies this, blending personal sentiment with refined imagery.
• Farewell Poetry (赠别诗, zèng bié shī): Parting was a major theme in Chinese literature due to the Confucian emphasis on relationships and the hardships of travel. Poems like this were often exchanged as keepsakes.
• Yangzhou’s Significance: As a cultural and economic hub, Yangzhou was synonymous with beauty and pleasure, making it a fitting backdrop for this bittersweet farewell.

Conclusion

"赠别·其一" is a masterpiece of understated emotion, capturing the heartache of parting through exquisite imagery and metaphor. Du Mu’s ability to convey deep feeling with simplicity makes this poem timeless. Even today, it resonates with anyone who has experienced the pain of saying goodbye to someone cherished.

The poem reminds us that beauty, like youth and spring, is fleeting—yet its memory lingers, just as Du Mu’s words have endured for over a millennium.