"Complete Poems"
"Farewell to Dong Da"
Author: Gao Shi
Thousands of miles of yellow clouds in the daytime, and the north wind blows the wild geese Snow falls.
Don’t worry, there will be no friends in the future. No one in the world will know you.
『Translation』
The sky is covered with yellow clouds, the sun is covered dimly, the north wind blows, and the wild geese fly south amidst the flying snowflakes.
Don’t worry that you will not have a confidant on your way forward. (With your piano sound and your musical accomplishment) who in the world will not respect you!
『Notes』
(1) Dong Da: refers to Dong Tinglan, a famous musician at that time. He ranked first among his brothers, so he was called "Dong Da".
(2) Yellow clouds: Dark clouds in the sky are dark yellow under the sun, so they are called yellow clouds.
(3) 曛: The sun is dim.
(4) Bosom friend: a person who understands oneself, a good friend.
(5) Who: Which person.
(6) Jun: You, this refers to Dong Da.
『Creative Background』
This farewell poem was written in 747 AD (the sixth year of Tianbao reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty), and the object of farewell was the famous luther master Dong Tinglan. In the spring of that year, Fang Guan, the official minister, was demoted from the court, and his retainer Dong Tinglan also left Chang'an. Hu music was popular during the prosperous Tang Dynasty, and not many people could appreciate ancient music such as the lyre. Cui Jue wrote in a poem: "The five notes on the seven strings are cold, and it has been difficult to know the music since ancient times. Only Henan Fangci Lv has always pitied Dong Tinglan." ("The Guest Chanting the Qin at the Dinner") At this time, Gao Shi was also very frustrated, everywhere Wandering, often in poor and humble situations. In the winter of the sixth year of Tianbao, Gao Shi and Dong Tinglan met in Suiyang (their former address is in the south of Shangqiu County, Henan Province today) and wrote "Two Poems of Farewell to Dong Da". This poem is the first of its kind.
『Appreciation』
Gao Shi had many friends throughout his life and attached great importance to friendship. Folks not only extol the story of his meeting and traveling with great poets of the generation such as Li Bai and Du Fu in Bianzhou, but also his friendship with Dong Ting, a famous piano player at that time, is also regarded as a good story. The poem "Farewell Dong Da" is the poet's farewell message to Dong Tinglan.
The whole poem has four sentences, which can be divided into two levels.
The first two sentences of the poem focus on the scenery during farewell. The first sentence "Thousands of miles of yellow clouds and white sun" has a broad vision and fully demonstrates the unique regional scenery of the northwest Loess Plateau where the wind blows dust and sand into the clouds. The three words "白日曛" add a confused and dim color to the vast Loess Plateau. The second sentence, "The north wind blows the geese and the snow falls," describes the season and climate of farewell. The author writes about the sudden change in weather, which also symbolizes the bad situation of Dong Da. The early wind was blowing hard and the snow was flying. It was already desolate enough, but the mournful cries of swan geese could be heard in the ears, which made the travelers feel even more lonely and helpless, like a solitary wild goose. Geese always fly in groups, which makes the whole picture immersed in the emotional atmosphere of farewell, making people think of friendship in the mournful cries of swan geese. The two lines of poems on the first level contain emotions and describe the scene with emotion. The scene is empty and the writing is rough, but there are lingering emotions in the roughness, making the farewell mood even more intense.
The second emotional tone of the poem and the deep depression turn to reach high.
The two lines of poems on the second level are mainly to comfort and encourage Dong Tinglan’s Ci friends on their long journey. "Don't worry about having no friends in the road ahead" comforts Dong Da, and he will meet close friends everywhere on the way forward; "No one in the world knows you" is not only a supplement to the third sentence, but also a compliment to Dong Tinglan's world-class reputation, and also a tribute to Dong Tinglan's world-famous reputation. Prophecy of a bright future for friends. The three and four lines of the poem are causally related to each other, the third line is the effect, and the fourth line is the cause. The inverted sentence structure further shows that Dong Tinglan makes many good friends and cherishes friendship.
The setting sun, yellow clouds, and vast fields are a sight only seen in winter in the north. If this situation and scene were slightly sculpted, it would inevitably damage the momentum. Gao Shi is a master at this. It was dusk, and there was heavy snowfall. In the strong north wind, only wild geese could be seen in the distance, and cold clouds appeared and disappeared. It was difficult to help but feel the coldness of the sunset and the cold weather, which is what a wanderer would feel. It's hard to shed tears for such a talented person, but it's the only way to do it, so I know I can't be reconciled to it. The first two sentences describe the scenery and reveal the stagnation in the heart. Although it does not involve human affairs, it makes people feel like they are in the wind and snow, as if they heard the roar of strong men on the top of the mountain and at the end of the water. If you don't use all your strength here, you won't be able to see the wonderful turns in the following text, nor the tactful words, the good intentions, the deep friendship, and the sad farewell. The last two sentences are full of confidence and strength in comfort. Because he is a close friend, his speech is simple and forthright.
And because of his decline, he takes hope as comfort. The reason why this poem is outstanding is that Gao Shi has "a lot of presumptions and strong spirit" (Yin Fan's "Heyue Yingling Collection") and "exalts himself with temperament" ("Chronicles of Tang Poems"), so it can add color to people with lofty ideals. , wipe the tears of the wanderer! If the poet's inner stagnation had not burst out, how could he have said his farewell words so considerately and firmly? How can such simple and unpretentious language be used to create such pure, mellow and moving poetry! Li Xin, a Tang poet who was a contemporary of Gao Shi, also wrote the poem "Listening to Dong Da playing Hujia and sending messages to people in the house." In the poem, Dong Tinglan's character and beautiful soul were expressed by describing Dong Tinglan's beautiful piano sound and superb piano skills.