客至 Arrival of a Guest
舍南舍北皆春水，但见群鸥日日来。
shè nán shè běi jiē chūn shuǐ ， dàn jiàn qún ōu rì rì lái 。
Where south and north, spring waters gently glide, Gulls, ever-present, grace the waterside.
花径不曾缘客扫，蓬门今始为君开。
huā jìng bù zēng yuán kè sǎo ， péng mén jīn shǐ wéi jūn kāi 。
The flowered path, untended, waits for thee, My humble gate, now open, graciously.
盘飧市远无兼味，樽酒家贫只旧醅。
pán sūn shì yuǎn wú jiān wèi ， zūn jiǔ jiā pín zhī jiù pēi 。
In distant markets, plates lack flavor's art, My meager wines, aged remnants from the start.
肯与邻翁相对饮，隔篱呼取尽余杯。
kěn yǔ lín wēng xiāng duì yǐn ， gé lí hū qǔ jìn yú bēi 。
But with my neighbor, let us raise our toast, Across the fence, our merry spirits boast.
Background
This poem was composed by Du Fu in the spring of the second year of Shangyuan (上元) (761 AD) when he was fifty years old, in his thatched cottage in Chengdu (成都). After experiencing a tumultuous life of wandering, Du Fu finally put an end to his long period of drifting and settled temporarily in a thatched cottage by the Xihua Creek (浣花溪) on the western outskirts of Chengdu. Shortly after finding peace in his Chengdu cottage, he composed this poem when visited by a guest.
Overview
This is a heartfelt and genuine narrative poem that reflects the poet's simple character and hospitable mood. The poet himself noted, "Delighted by the visit of Magistrate Cui," (“喜崔明府相过”) indicating that the "guest" in the poem refers to Magistrate Cui. The specific details are unclear, but it is worth noting that Du Fu's mother's maiden name was Cui. Some believe that this visitor could have been a relative from his mother's side. "Magistrate (明府) " was a term of respect for a county official (县令) during the Tang Dynasty. "Visited" here means to pay a visit or call on someone.
Liu Kezhuang suggested that this poem imitates the style of Yuan Baiti (元白体), a later poet. However, it is unlikely that Du Fu, living in his own time, would imitate it. This interpretation is made from a stylistic perspective.
In simple terms, Yuan Baiti's Style refers to a poetry style that is shallow, accessible, and unpretentious. Upon examining the entire poem, its language flows smoothly, with the exception of the words "luxurious feast," "delightful flavors," and "wine goblet." The other lines do not pose significant barriers, particularly the use of the virtual words "willing to share" and the common expression "summon and partake." These elements adequately fit the description of "imitation"
Additionally, the poem is written in the first person, conveying a natural and warm tone that harmonizes well with the content, creating a joyful and elegant atmosphere distinct from Du Fu's usual meticulous style in regulated verse.
In Du Fu's poems such as "Visiting Guests," 《宾至》 "Having Guests," 《有客》and "Encountering Passers-by," 《过客相寻》he writes about entertaining guests with meals, but the expressions and meanings conveyed are distinct.
In "Visiting Guests," the poet maintains a polite distance from the visitors and quickly mentions the meal with the line "a simple meal, rough and plain for a hundred years."
“百年粗粝腐儒餐” - 《宾至》
In "Having Guests" and "Encountering Passers-by," he describes the hospitality with warmth and courtesy, but without grandeur or fervor, merely using a line or two to convey the sentiment. Moreover, these poems do not mention drinking wine.
“自锄稀菜甲，小摘为情亲” - 《有客》
“挂壁移筐果，呼儿问煮鱼” - 《过客相寻》
On the other hand, when we turn to the depiction of entertaining guests in "Guests Arrive," Du Fu dedicates half the poem to vividly portraying the scene of food and wine, unexpectedly highlighting the detail of inviting neighbors to join in the festivities. The poem is so delicately and vividly written, expressing sincere and genuine friendship. It weaves together the scenery at the doorstep, casual conversations, and personal connections into a rich and delightful life scene, showcasing a strong sense of life's atmosphere and human warmth.
Line Breakdown
舍南舍北皆春水，但见群鸥日日来。
Where south and north, spring waters gently glide, Gulls, ever-present, grace the waterside.
The opening couplet begins by capturing the outdoor scenery, subtly indicating the time, location, and the author's state of mind prior to the visitor's arrival. The first line beautifully portrays the enchanting environment with its meandering green waters and vibrant spring atmosphere. (舍南舍北皆春水)
This is the picturesque Chengdu Cottage, nestled by the riverside. The use of "all" suggests the rising and overflowing of the spring river, evoking a sense of vast and boundless waves. Flocks of seagulls, often portrayed as companions to the riverside hermits in ancient writings, "come day after day," highlighting the serene and secluded ambiance of the surroundings, adding a touch of seclusion to the author's life.
The phrase "only seen" carries an implicit meaning: while the seagulls are indeed delightful, the absence of other visitors also creates a sense of monotony. In this way, the author intertwines emotions with the scenery, portraying his lonely state of mind in the tranquil riverside village. This cleverly sets the stage for the poem's underlying theme of joyful anticipation for the arrival of the guest.
花径不曾缘客扫，蓬门今始为君开。
The flowered path, untended, waits for thee, My humble gate, now open, graciously.
The second couplet shifts the focus to the courtyard, introducing the arrival of the guest. The author adopts a conversational tone, enhancing the sense of real-life interaction between host and guest.
The first line expresses that the flower-lined path in the courtyard has not been tidied up in anticipation of the visitor's arrival. The second line reveals that the previously closed household gate is now being opened for the first time, specifically for the esteemed guest, Cui Mingfu.
Amidst solitude, the arrival of a cherished guest unexpectedly fills the serene and leisurely host with joy. These two lines complement each other, conveying deep emotions. The first line not only suggests that guests are infrequent, but also implies that the host does not easily extend invitations.
Today, with "you" coming, the profound bond between the two individuals is further emphasized, setting the stage for the subsequent lively and joyous atmosphere. The phrase "now, for the first time" in the second line adds a sense of detachment to the preceding line, completing the connection between the two couplets of the poem.
盘飧市远无兼味，樽酒家贫只旧醅。
In distant markets, plates lack flavor's art, My meager wines, aged remnants from the start.
The third couplet skillfully portrays the act of receiving guests. The author discards superfluous details and instead focuses on selecting the most poignant and revealing life scene that epitomizes the bond between host and guest.
With meticulous attention and richly descriptive language, the lines vividly depict a scene where one can almost visualize the author graciously welcoming guests to dine, fervently urging them to partake in the offerings.
One can almost hear the author's apologetic words for the modest fare and meager selection of wines: being distanced from the bustling market, acquiring exquisite ingredients proves arduous; the dishes are simple and the host's humble means only afford an aged homemade brew. Nevertheless, the host insists that their guests indulge freely.
These words of familiar conversation exude a genuine warmth, allowing one to readily perceive the host's sincere and wholehearted hospitality, tinged with a poignant acknowledgement of their limitations. It is through these lines that one can truly sense the profound camaraderie and sincere rapport between host and guest, as the words on the page brim with an effortless harmony and an atmosphere of genuine companionship.
肯与邻翁相对饮，隔篱呼取尽余杯。
But with my neighbor, let us raise our toast, Across the fence, our merry spirits boast.
The sentiment of "Arrival of a Guest" seems to have been adequately portrayed thus far, and any further direct depiction of joyous scenes would risk becoming mundane. However, the poet astutely concludes the poem with the lines
"Willingly, I drink with my neighbor across the fence, calling out to share the remaining cups." With this ending, the atmosphere at the table is propelled to a more fervent climax. The poet loudly calls out, inviting the neighboring elder to join in the drinking. This particular detail is rendered with exquisite realism, allowing one to envision the two close friends becoming increasingly immersed in the pleasure of drinking, their spirits heightened, and the atmosphere growing lively and animated.
From a stylistic standpoint, these concluding lines can be described as a remarkable twist, opening up a new realm of expression.
