Translation of "The Journey Is Difficult" by Li Bai

1. Interpretation

The famous wine in the gold cup costs ten thousand yuan per bucket; the exquisite dishes in the jade plate cost ten thousand yuan. I felt so depressed that I couldn't eat anymore. I drew my sword and looked around, but I felt really confused. If you want to cross the Yellow River, ice and snow have blocked this great river; if you want to climb Taihang, the mountains have already been closed by the heavy wind and snow.

Like Lu Shang fishing in the stream, waiting for his comeback; Yi Yin took a boat and dreamed about the sun, and was employed by Shang Tang. How difficult! How difficult! There are so many different roads, where is the real avenue? I believe that one day, I will be able to ride the strong wind and break thousands of miles of waves; hang my sails high and move forward bravely in the sea!

2. Original text

Ten thousand dollars worth of wine in gold bottles, ten thousand dollars worth of treasures on jade plates. Stopping the cup and throwing chopsticks, I can't eat. I draw my sword and look around at a loss.

If you want to cross the Yellow River, which is blocked by ice, you will have to climb the snow-covered mountains of Taihang. When I was free to fish on the Bixi River, I suddenly took a boat and dreamed of the sun.

Traveling is difficult! Traveling is difficult! There are many different roads, where are you now? There will be times when the wind blows and the waves break, and the clouds and sails are hung directly to help the sea.

3. Author

Extended information on Li Bai in the Tang Dynasty

1. Creation background

Li Bai left Chang'an in the third year of Tianbao (744) Made at the time.

2. Appreciation

This poem has fourteen lines and eighty-two words. It can only be regarded as a short story among the seven-character songs, but it is full of energy and excitement. , with a lengthy momentum pattern. One of the important reasons is that it reveals the ups and downs and complex changes of the poet's emotions in every possible way.

The beginning of the poem, "golden bottles of wine" and "jade plates of treasures", makes people feel like it is a happy banquet, but then the two words "stop the cup and throw chopsticks" and "draw the sword and look around" Every detail shows the strong impact of emotional waves.

In the middle four sentences, I just sighed about "the river is blocked by ice" and "the mountain is covered with snow", and suddenly I am traveling for thousands of years, as if I saw Lu Shang and Yi Yin suddenly being valued by the monarch from humble status. The poet's psychological disappointment and hope, depression and pursuit alternate rapidly. "The journey is difficult, the journey is difficult, the road is divergent, where is your peace now?"

The four sentences have a short and jumping rhythm, which is completely an inner monologue in a state of anxiety and anxiety, vividly conveying the dilemma of advancing and retreating but the need to continue. Explore the complex psychology of pursuit. In the last two sentences, after the previous repeated convolutions, the state of mind suddenly opened up, and a high and optimistic tone was sung, believing that one day one's ideals and ambitions will be realized.

Through such layered emotional ups and downs, it not only fully demonstrates the obstruction of the dark and dirty political reality to the poet's grand ideals and ambitions, but also reflects the intense depression and anger in the poet's heart caused by this. Depressed and uneven, it also highlights the poet's stubbornness, self-confidence and his persistent pursuit of ideals, and shows the poet's strong spiritual power in trying to break free from depression.

3. Introduction to the author

Li Bai (701-762), also known as Taibai, also known as Qinglian Jushi, also known as "Exiled Immortal", was a great romantic poet in the Tang Dynasty. , was hailed as the "Immortal of Poetry" by later generations, and was called "Li Du" together with Du Fu. In order to distinguish him from the other two poets Li Shangyin and Du Mu, known as "Little Li Du", Du Fu and Li Bai were also collectively called "Big Li Du".

After Li Bai left Donglu, he took a boat from Rencheng and followed the canal to Yangzhou. Since he was in a hurry to go to Kuaiji to meet Yuan Danqiu, he didn't stay much longer. When he arrived in Kuaiji, Li Bai first went to pay his respects to the deceased He Zhizhang.

Soon, Confucius Chaofu also arrived in Kuaiji, so Li Bai, Yuan Danqiu and Confucius Chaofu visited historical sites such as Yu Cave and Orchid Pavilion, went boating on Jinghu Lake, and traveled to Shanxi and other places. Of course, they were also in the bustling City Kuaiji lingers on. In Jinling, Li Bai met Cui Chengfu. Both were politically frustrated, and their sentiments were even more congenial.

Every time you play, swim to your heart’s content, no matter the morning or evening. They went boating on the Qinhuai River and sang all night long, which astonished people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and clapped their hands to cheer them on. Because the two had similar personalities and similar experiences, they had a closer understanding and deeper friendship than ordinary friends. Therefore, Li Bai tied Cui Chengfu's poems to his clothes and recited them whenever he missed him.