Spring Hope
Du Fu
The country is broken by mountains and rivers, and the city has deep spring vegetation.
I am moved to tears by the flowers, and the birds are frightened by the hatred.
The war rages on for three months, and a letter from home is worth ten thousand gold.
The white-headed scratches are shorter, and the lust is overwhelming.
Notes
① The country is broken and the mountains and rivers are there: It is said that the mountains and rivers remain the same, but the personnel and affairs have changed, and the country is broken. Spring has arrived in the capital, but the palaces, gardens and private houses are deserted and overgrown with weeds. Guo: The capital of the country is Chang'an, the capital. Break: (be) dashed away; capture.
② There are two interpretations of these two sentences: one is that the poet was sentimental about current events and worried about his relatives, so he shed tears when he saw the flowers blooming (or said tears splashed on the flowers), and was frightened when he heard the birds singing. . It is also said that flowers and birds are used to personify people, because when they feel sad, the flowers will shed tears and the birds will be frightened. Both theories are acceptable. Feeling sad for the current situation of the country. Hate farewell: sad and hate parting.
③Fenghuo: This refers to war. Lian March: It means that two springs have passed since the war started last year until now. Worth ten thousand gold: A letter from home can be worth ten thousand taels of gold, which is extremely rare. Worth: value.
④ Scratch: Use your fingers to lightly scratch. Hun: Absolutely. Desire: will; want.
⑤The lustful hairpin: I can’t even insert the hairpin. Hun: Absolutely. Win: Can bear it. Hairpin: A kind of hairpin jewelry.
⑥White head: white hair.
⑦City: refers to Chang'an City.
⑧Hun: Simply.
Translation
The capital city has been shattered, only the mountains and rivers remain. It's spring again in Chang'an City, but after the burning, killing, and looting by the rebels, it is already desolate, with deep and dense vegetation growing everywhere. Although spring flowers are in full bloom, looking at them does not make people happy, but makes people cry. It feels like the flowers are also crying. Although there are spring birds singing everywhere, my heart is sad because of parting with my family. Listening to the birdsong, I am not only unhappy. , and shocking. The war has been going on for a long time, and there has been no news from my family for a long time. A letter from home can be as valuable as ten thousand taels of gold. Due to sadness and worry, the white hair on my head became thinner and thinner, and I couldn't even wear a hairpin anymore.