Lu You's "Reading" explains: "If you don't see the long pine lying in the ravine trapped in the wind and frost, it will stand upright in the Fuming Hall": Have you noticed the giant pine lying in the canyon? Wind and frost plagued it, but it still stood firm. As time goes by, it still stands in front of the palace, supporting the glory of the Mingtang.
Original text
Reading
Lu You [Song Dynasty]
The fourth watch of reading is full of light, and the beauty in the chest is so rich.
You can hear it when you look up to the blue sky, and you will still be confident even if you are old and poor.
The policy name committee is essentially for the country, and it is not just a golden seal in vain.
The old capital cannot bear to say that the empty palace is full of autumn phosphorus every night.
The scholar promised to be born in Jiji at the beginning, and at the end of the year he established a shameless and honest palace. Just when he was angry and successful, he regained his grace and entrusted him to watch the provocation.
Although it is not easy to know people, it can be an example of underestimating the world.
You don’t see the long pine lying in the ravine trapped in the wind and frost, but it will stand upright in the Fuming Hall.
Translation
When I was reading late at night, the surroundings were quiet and the lanterns were almost extinguished, but my chest was filled with mountain-like ambition. Looking up at the sky, there is no way of knowing whether these voices can be conveyed to the distance. Although I have entered my gray-haired old age, I still believe that I can make a difference.
I was once appointed by the imperial court and had a gold seal, but these external honors were not my pursuit. Nowadays, I would rather choose the self-evident old capital Chang'an, which still shines with the autumn stars at night.
I vowed back then that I would accomplish something great, but as time goes by, the possibility of my name remaining in history becomes less and less, which makes me feel very ashamed. Even so, I am still full of enthusiasm and confidence in all the resistance and struggles in life, because I know clearly that only in this way can I leave my own footprints in the world.
Although it is not easy to discern talents, we cannot be disappointed or contemptuous of those who desire success. The long pine tree sleeps in the canyon, plagued by wind and frost, but it remains standing despite the difficulties and challenges. Time goes by, and many years have passed, but the long pine still stands in front of the Mingtang, supporting its glory.
Appreciation
Lu You's poem expresses his mood when reading and the contradiction between some ideals and reality.
The poem describes the scene of people reading in the dead of night until the fourth watch in the morning, when the lights are almost gone. The author has great ambitions in his mind, and compares it to Taihua Mountain, which is thousands of feet high, showing his ambition. However, he said with emotion that his ideals and wishes may not be able to be conveyed to distant places, as if his voice cannot be heard even if he calls up to the sky. Although he is old and gray-haired, he is still firm and confident in his beliefs.
Next, the poem mentions the policy name commission, which means devoting oneself to political causes, but not for the utilitarian external honor of a gold seal. The author would rather remain silent and no longer talk about the current situation of the capital Chang'an, because although the empty palace in Chang'an is quiet, the night is full of autumn phosphorus, reflecting the desolation and decline of the capital.
The poem also touches on the lofty ambitions of scholars when they first entered their official career, and how they gradually felt incompetent and ashamed as the years passed. However, the author still sees those people with positive enterprising ideas and fantastic ideas, succeeding in anger and eagerness, and showing off their achievements in a graceful manner.
The last two sentences mention that the long pine tree suffered from wind and frost in the canyon, but it still stood firm and became the support of the Mingtang. Through this metaphor, the poet expresses his admiration and praise for those who can persevere and succeed in the face of adversity.
This poem is full of pursuit of ideals and reflection on reality, expressing the author's firm belief and admiration for those who struggle tenaciously.
Background of the work
Lu You was a famous writer, politician and military strategist in the Song Dynasty of China. He lived in the period of melee between Liao, Jin and Southern Song. This poem was written by him in his later years and expresses his helplessness about his career achievements and his reflection on the real world.
Lu You had certain achievements in politics and military affairs, but due to various complex historical backgrounds and personal experiences, he ultimately failed to achieve the great cause and ambition he pursued. He was deeply confused and troubled by the contradiction between personal ideals and reality.
In this poem, Lu You uses the scene of reading late at night to metaphorize his efforts in his career. He compares his inner ambition to a mountain, but laments that his voice cannot be conveyed to the distance. He reflected on his original intention of participating in politics and believed that the pure pursuit of power and honor was empty and meaningless. He chose to remain silent about Chang'an, the capital at that time, because he realized that Chang'an was no longer the glorious city it once was, but instead was in desolation and decline.
The poem also mentioned his own shame and self-blame in old age, and lamented the powerlessness brought about by the passage of time. However, he still has admiration for those who can fight and succeed in the face of adversity. Using the metaphor of a long pine tree, he expressed his praise for those who can persist in their original aspirations and are not afraid of difficulties.
This poem shows Lu You's thoughts and reflections on personal ideals and the real world, and reflects the difficulties and inner struggles he faces as a cultural celebrity. This poem also reflects his firm belief in pursuing truth, goodness and beauty and adhering to his original aspirations.
About the author
Lu You (November 13, 1125 - January 26, 1210), named Wuguan, nicknamed Fangweng, Han nationality, Yuezhou Shanyin (now Zhejiang) Shaoxing), grandson of Shangshu Youcheng Lu Dian, a writer, historian and patriotic poet in the Southern Song Dynasty. Lu You was born when the Northern Song Dynasty was overthrown, and he was deeply influenced by his family's patriotism when he was young. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty, he participated in the examination of the Ministry of Rites, but his official career was not smooth because he was rejected by Qin Hui, the prime minister. During the reign of Emperor Xiaozong, he was granted a Jinshi background. He entered Shu in middle age and devoted himself to military life. In the second year of Jiatai (1202), Emperor Ningzong of the Song Dynasty ordered Lu You to go to Beijing and preside over the compilation of Xiaozong's and Guangzong's "Records of the Two Dynasties" and "History of the Three Dynasties". In his later years, he retired to his hometown. There are more than 9,000 poems in existence today, and they are extremely rich in content. He is the author of "Jiannan Poetry Draft", "Weinan Collected Works", "Southern Tang Book", "Laoxue'an Notes", etc.