The third and fourth sentences of the poem are full of praise for the scenery in early spring: "The most important thing is the benefits of spring, which is definitely better than the willow." The light rain and grass color in early spring are the most beautiful things in the spring of a year, far exceeding the late spring scenery of the city of smoke and willow. Poems about spring scenery, in Tang poetry, mostly focus on beautiful late spring, but this poem focuses on early spring, thinking that early spring scenery is better than late spring and is unique.
The exquisite observation of the scenery in the first two sentences is admirable, and the last two sentences are even more unexpected, such as the sudden arrival of cavalry. Finally, the poet made a comparison: "It is definitely better than a willow." The poet thinks that the color of early spring grass is many times better than the scenery of the willow trees in the city. This is a state of mind. The severe winter has passed, and the cold is still strong. I was surprised and happy when I suddenly saw this wonderful grass color.
Because the grass color of "looking from a distance, but not at all" is unique in early spring, symbolizing the rejuvenation of the earth and the prosperity of Vientiane business, and willow trees are already an era of "willow piles of smoke", not to mention "the city", which is not rare at all. In late spring and March, the color is strong, but it is not so popular with the author. Using contrast like this, unlike the general, is a double writing, in order to highlight the characteristics of spring scenery.
Source: From Han Yu's Early Spring Offering Eighteen Members of Zhang Shui Department.
Original text:
There is a lot of silk in the sky above the avenue, which is as delicate and moist as butter. The grass is vaguely connected in the distance, but it looks sparse in the near future.
This is the most beautiful season of the year, far better than the late spring of the green willow.
Vernacular translation:
There is a continuous rain over the Capital Avenue. It is as delicate and moist as ghee. From a distance, the grass is faintly connected, but when you look closely, it looks sparse and sporadic. This is the most beautiful season of the year, far better than the late spring in the city of green willows.
Extended data:
Creative background:
This poem was written in the early spring of the third year of Tang Muzong Changqing (823). At that time, Han Yu was 56 years old and served as assistant minister of the official department. Although the time is not long, I am in a good mood at this time. Not long ago, there was a rebellion in Zhou Zhen (now Zhengding, Hebei Province), and Han Yu was ordered to go to Fu Xuan to surrender the rebellion.
Mu Zong was so happy that he was promoted from assistant minister of Ministry of War to assistant minister of official department. In literature, he has long been famous. At the same time, he also made achievements in reviving Confucianism. Therefore, although the year is approaching, we are not sad because of the years, but welcome spring with great interest.
This poem was written to Zhang Ji, a poet who worked in the Ministry of Water Resources at that time. Ranked eighteenth among brothers, so it is called "Zhang Eighteen". Han Yu invited Zhang Jichun to travel, but Zhang Ji refused because he was busy with his old age. Han Yu then wrote this poem as a gift, expressing the beauty of the early spring scenery, hoping to arouse Zhang Ji's interest in travel.
Baidu Encyclopedia-In the early spring, Zhang, a member of the Ministry of Water Resources, was present.