Silence is tonight’s Cambridge, a metaphor for the melancholy of parting.
This poem was written by Xu Zhimo on his way back from his third trip to Europe. The time was November 6, 1928, and the location was Shanghai, China. One summer day at the end of July, he stayed overnight at the home of the British philosopher Russell without informing anyone in advance.
A man quietly came to Cambridge to find his British friend. Unfortunately, none of his British friends are here. Only Cambridge, which he is familiar with, is waiting for him silently. Scenes of the past life are unfolding before his eyes again.
The literary value of Farewell to Cambridge
"Farewell to Cambridge" is a popular poem by the modern poet Xu Zhimo and a representative work of Crescent Poetry. The whole poem uses the ups and downs of emotions when bidding farewell to Cambridge as a clue to express the deep affection for farewell to Cambridge. The language is light and soft, and the form is exquisite and mature. The poet uses the technique of alternating virtual and real to meticulously describe the poet's love for Cambridge, his longing for the past life, and the helpless sorrow of separation in front of him.
The performance is sincere, rich and meaningful, which is the swan song of Xu Zhimo’s poetry. In 1928, the poet revisited his hometown. On November 6, while on his way home in the South China Sea, he composed this masterpiece.
This poem was first published in the "Crescent" monthly magazine, Volume 1, No. 10, on December 10, 1928, and was later included in "Tiger Collection". It can be said that the "Cambridge plot" runs through Xu Zhimo's poems throughout his life, and "Farewell to Cambridge" is undoubtedly the most famous one.