Analysis of "古别离" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"古别离" (Gǔ Biélí), or "Ancient Parting," is a poetic theme deeply rooted in Chinese literature, capturing the sorrow and melancholy of separation. While many poets have written on this theme, one of the most poignant examples comes from Meng Jiao (孟郊, 751–814), a Tang Dynasty poet known for his emotionally intense and introspective style. His poem "古别离" reflects the timeless pain of farewell, a universal human experience rendered with delicate imagery and profound emotion.

This poem is significant in Chinese literary history for its raw emotional power and its embodiment of Confucian and Daoist ideals—loyalty, filial piety, and the inevitability of change.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

古别离
Gǔ Biélí
Ancient Parting

欲去牵郎衣
Yù qù qiān láng yī
As you prepare to leave, I clutch your sleeve—

郎今到何处
Láng jīn dào hé chù
Where, my love, will you go today?

不恨归来迟
Bù hèn guīlái chí
I do not resent your late return—

莫向临邛去
Mò xiàng Línqióng qù
Only, do not wander to Linqiong’s way.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "欲去牵郎衣" (Yù qù qiān láng yī)
   - The opening line depicts a tender yet desperate gesture—a lover clinging to her partner’s sleeve as he prepares to leave. The action is simple but loaded with emotion, symbolizing reluctance and fear of abandonment.

2. "郎今到何处" (Láng jīn dào hé chù)
   - The speaker asks where her beloved is going, revealing anxiety about his journey. The question is rhetorical—she fears not just distance, but the possibility of him straying emotionally.

3. "不恨归来迟" (Bù hèn guīlái chí)
   - She claims she won’t resent his late return, suggesting patience and devotion. However, this also hints at resignation—she expects delays but dreads worse betrayals.

4. "莫向临邛去" (Mò xiàng Línqióng qù)
   - Linqiong (临邛) is a literary allusion to a place where the Han Dynasty poet Sima Xiangru once met a new lover, abandoning his wife. The plea is not just about distance, but infidelity.

Themes and Symbolism

1. Love and Anxiety

The poem captures the tension between love and insecurity. The speaker’s fear is not just of physical separation, but emotional betrayal.

2. The Pain of Parting (别离, Biélí)

A recurring theme in Chinese poetry, separation was especially poignant in ancient times when travel was dangerous and communication slow.

3. Symbolism of Linqiong

Linqiong represents temptation and infidelity—a subtle but powerful warning against straying from commitment.

Cultural Context

Tang Dynasty and Confucian Values

During the Tang Dynasty, loyalty (忠, zhōng) and fidelity were highly valued. A wife’s plea reflects Confucian ideals of marital devotion, while the reference to Linqiong critiques moral weakness.

Daoist Influence on Acceptance

The line "不恨归来迟" suggests a Daoist acceptance of life’s uncertainties—yet the final plea reveals human vulnerability beneath the calm.

Conclusion

Meng Jiao’s "古别离" is a masterpiece of emotional depth, blending personal sorrow with cultural wisdom. Its enduring appeal lies in its universality—anyone who has feared losing a loved one can relate.

Today, the poem reminds us that while goodbyes are inevitable, love and trust remain our anchors against life’s uncertainties.

Would you react the same way if your loved one were leaving? The poem leaves us pondering the delicate balance between holding on and letting go.