Analysis of "送陈章甫" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"送陈章甫" (Sòng Chén Zhāngfǔ, "Farewell to Chen Zhangfu") is a farewell poem by the Tang Dynasty poet Li Qi (李颀, Lǐ Qí, 690–751). Li Qi was known for his qiyan lüshi (seven-character regulated verse) and his ability to blend vivid imagery with deep emotional resonance. This poem is a prime example of Tang Dynasty farewell poetry, a genre that often expressed the sorrow of parting while celebrating friendship and the transient nature of life.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

四月南风大麦黄，
Sì yuè nán fēng dà mài huáng,
In April, the south wind turns the barley yellow,

枣花未落桐叶长。
Zǎo huā wèi luò tóng yè zhǎng.
The jujube flowers linger, the phoenix tree leaves grow long.

青山朝别暮还见，
Qīng shān zhāo bié mù hái jiàn,
The green hills we part at dawn, by dusk we see again,

嘶马出门思旧乡。
Sī mǎ chū mén sī jiù xiāng.
The neighing horse leaves the gate, longing for its old home.

陈侯立身何坦荡，
Chén hóu lì shēn hé tǎn dàng,
Lord Chen stands upright, so open and free,

虬须虎眉仍大颡。
Qiú xū hǔ méi réng dà sǎng.
With coiled beard, tiger brows, and a broad forehead.

腹中贮书一万卷，
Fù zhōng zhù shū yī wàn juàn,
In his belly, ten thousand scrolls of books are stored,

不肯低头在草莽。
Bù kěn dī tóu zài cǎo mǎng.
He refuses to bow his head among the common folk.

东门酤酒饮我曹，
Dōng mén gū jiǔ yǐn wǒ cáo,
At the east gate, he buys wine to drink with us,

心轻万事如鸿毛。
Xīn qīng wàn shì rú hóng máo.
His heart lightens all matters, as if they were goose feathers.

醉卧不知白日暮，
Zuì wò bù zhī bái rì mù,
Drunk, he lies down, unaware the day has darkened,

有时空望孤云高。
Yǒu shí kōng wàng gū yún gāo.
Sometimes he gazes idly at a lone cloud soaring high.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "In April, the south wind turns the barley yellow..."
   The poem opens with a pastoral scene, setting the farewell in late spring. The imagery of ripening barley and lingering jujube flowers evokes a sense of fleeting time, a common theme in Tang poetry.

2. "The green hills we part at dawn, by dusk we see again..."
   The poet contrasts the permanence of nature (the hills) with human transience. The horse’s longing for home mirrors the traveler’s own nostalgia.

3. "Lord Chen stands upright, so open and free..."
   Li Qi paints Chen Zhangfu as a noble and learned man ("ten thousand scrolls of books"), unyielding to mediocrity. His physical description (tiger brows, broad forehead) suggests strength and wisdom.

4. "At the east gate, he buys wine to drink with us..."
   The act of drinking together symbolizes camaraderie. Chen’s carefree attitude ("heart lightens all matters") reflects Daoist ideals of detachment.

5. "Drunk, he lies down, unaware the day has darkened..."
   The final lines capture Chen’s free-spirited nature, lost in contemplation of a lone cloud—a classic symbol of solitude and transcendence.

Themes and Symbolism

• Transience and Nature: The seasonal imagery underscores life’s impermanence, a key theme in Chinese poetry.
• Friendship and Parting: The poem balances sorrow at separation with admiration for Chen’s character.
• Scholar’s Ideals: Chen embodies the Confucian scholar’s erudition and the Daoist’s detachment, a blend common in Tang literati culture.
• The Lone Cloud: Represents freedom and spiritual elevation, a metaphor for Chen’s untethered soul.

Cultural Context

Written during the Tang Dynasty (618–907), a golden age of Chinese poetry, this poem reflects the era’s values: reverence for nature, the importance of friendship (youqing), and the scholar-official’s dual role in society. Farewell poems (songbie shi) were a social ritual, often exchanged between friends departing for official posts. Li Qi’s portrayal of Chen—both heroic and introspective—echoes the Tang ideal of the "knight-errant scholar" (xia ke).

Conclusion

"送陈章甫" is a masterpiece of emotional depth and lyrical beauty, capturing the bittersweet essence of parting. Through vivid imagery and philosophical undertones, Li Qi immortalizes his friend’s spirit while pondering life’s fleeting moments. Today, the poem remains a testament to the enduring power of friendship and the timeless appeal of Chinese poetic tradition. Its message—to cherish connections while embracing life’s transience—resonates across cultures and centuries.