王昌龄
七言绝句
Character Explanations
Click on a character in the poem to display its explanation here.
秦
“(dynasty) Qin.” 秦时 “during the Qin dynasty.”
时
“time, era.” 秦时 “at the time of the Qin.”
明
“bright, clear.” 明月 “the bright moon.”
月
“moon.” 明月 “the bright moon.”
汉
“(dynasty) Han.” 汉时 “during the Han dynasty.”
时
“time, era.” 汉时关 “the passes of the Han era.”
关
“pass, fortified frontier.” The garrison gate at the frontier.
万
“ten thousand.” 万里 “ten thousand li.”
里
“li (unit of distance).” 万里长征 “a long expedition of ten thousand li.”
长
“long.” 长征 “a long march.”
征
“military expedition.” 长征 “to go on a long expedition.”
人
“man, soldier.” 征人 “soldiers gone far away.”
未
“not yet.” 未还 “have not yet returned.”
还
“to return, come back” (read as huán). 未还 “have not returned yet.”
但
“if only, provided that.” 但使 “if only.”
使
“to make sure that, if.” 但使 “if only.”
龙
“dragon.” 龙城 “Longcheng,” a fortress in the steppes.
城
“city, fortress.” 龙城 “the city of Longcheng.”
飞
“to fly.” 飞将 “the Flying General,” nickname of General Li Guang.
将
“general” (read as jiàng). 飞将 “the Flying General.”
在
“to be present, to be there.” 在 “if he were still there.”
不
“not.” 不教 “would not allow.”
教
“to let, to allow” (read as jiào). 不教 “would not allow.”
胡
“barbarian (of the North), Hu.” 胡马 “the barbarian horses.”
马
“horse.” 胡马 “the barbarian cavalry.”
度
“to cross, to traverse.” 度阴山 “to cross the Yin Mountains.”
阴
“(Mount) Yin.” 阴山 “the Yin Mountains,” a northern frontier.
山
“mountain.” 阴山 “the Yin Mountain range.”
Literal Translation
Bright moon of the Qin era, passes of the Han era;
At ten thousand li, the soldiers gone on campaign have not returned.
If only the Flying General of Longcheng were still there,
He would not let the barbarian horses cross the Yin Mountains.
Historical Context and Biography
This poem, 出塞 (), "Beyond the Frontier," is renowned as one of the most beautiful quatrains of the Tang dynasty. It laments endless wars and calls for great leaders capable of protecting the empire.
Literary Analysis
Structure and Form
A seven-character quatrain. The first line superimposes the Qin and Han eras over the same frontier landscape; the following lines shift from bitter observation to a hopeful wish.
Imagery and Symbolism
The moon and the passes, unchanged through the dynasties, contrast the permanence of the scenery with the succession of soldiers who never return.
Movement and Gesture
The poem contrasts an impeded movement (the barbarian horses that should be stopped) with the impossible return of the soldiers.
Language and Tone
Ample and solemn language; the tone blends lament for the dead with a nostalgic patriotism directed toward the heroes of the past.
Main Themes
War and Its Victims
The poem mourns the soldiers who go far away and do not return.
Permanence and Time
Under the same moon, centuries of battles repeat themselves on the same frontier.
Desire for Peace and Great Leaders
By regretting the "Flying General," the poet calls for leaders capable of sparing such sacrifices.
