蜀相 Prime Minister of Shu
丞相祠堂何处寻？锦官城外柏森森。
chéng xiāng cí táng hé chǔ xún ？ jǐn guān chéng wài bǎi sēn sēn 。
In quest of the Prime Minister's hallowed shrine, Where Jin Guan City rests, where cypresses entwine.
映阶碧草自春色，隔叶黄鹂空好音。
yìng jiē bì cǎo zì chūn sè ， gé yè huáng lí kōng hǎo yīn 。
The jade-hued grass adorns the steps with grace, While warblers sing, their golden notes embrace.
三顾频烦天下计，两朝开济老臣心。
sān gù pín fán tiān xià jì ， liǎng zhāo kāi jì lǎo chén xīn 。
Thrice sought, burdened with the realm's vast affairs, In two reigns, solace to loyal hearts he shares.
出师未捷身先死，长使英雄泪满襟。
chū shī wèi jié shēn xiān sǐ ， cháng shǐ yīng xióng lèi mǎn jīn 。
Ere victory, his life's flame extinguished too soon, An anguish that doth heroes weep and hearts attune.
Background
This poem was composed by Du Fu in the spring of the year 760 AD (唐肃宗上元元年) according to the annotations of Qiu Zhaoao (仇兆鳌). It was written when Du Fu first arrived in Chengdu. In December of the year 759 AD (唐肃宗乾元二年), Du Fu concluded his tumultuous four-year sojourn in Qinzhou (秦州) and Tonggu (同谷) (今甘肃省成县) and settled down by the side of the Huanhua Creek in Chengdu (浣花溪畔), with the support of his friends. Chengdu was the ancient capital of the Shu Han Dynasty, and to the northwest of the city stood the Temple of Zhuge Liang, known as the Wuhou Shrine. In the spring of the first year of Emperor Suzong's Shangyuan era (760 AD), he visited the Wuhou Shrine (武侯祠) and composed this profoundly moving and timeless masterpiece.
In the year 221 AD (蜀汉章武元年), Liu Bei declared himself emperor in Chengdu, taking the name of Han and appointing Zhuge Liang as his prime minister. The term "Shu Prime Minister" refers to the prime minister of the Shu Han Dynasty, and the poem's title is about Zhuge Liang.
Although Du Fu harbored political ideals of governing like the legendary emperors Yao (尧) and Shun (舜) his career was fraught with obstacles, and his aspirations could not be realized. When he wrote this poem, the An Lushan Rebellion had not yet been quelled. He witnessed the perilous state of the nation and the suffering of the people, while finding himself unable to offer his services or find a way to contribute to his country. Therefore, he held boundless admiration and utmost respect for Zhuge Liang, who had laid the foundation and worked to save the situation.
Overview
The poem masterfully weaves together emotions, vivid scenery, and contemplative discourse, forging a powerful fusion that offers both historical insight and metaphorical representation of reality. Among the many poems lauding Zhuge Liang across the ages, this one stands as a masterpiece.
Originally known as the "Prime Minister's Shrine (丞相祠堂) " and now recognized as the Wuhou Shrine, it stands on the southern outskirts of Chengdu. Chengdu, the capital of the Han Dynasty during the Three Kingdoms era, witnessed Zhuge Liang's governance for over two decades, leaving an enduring legacy of accomplishments. During the Jin Dynasty, Li Xiong established this shrine to honor Zhuge Liang. Despite the ravages of war during the conquest of Shu by Huan Wen, which caused significant destruction to Chengdu, the Wuhou Shrine remained intact. "Jin Guan City (锦官城)" was another appellation for ancient Chengdu. Known for its production of Shu brocade, Chengdu had specialized officials overseeing this craft in the Shaocheng district. The city was divided into both big and small city, and thus it was also referred to as Jin Guan City, Jin Cheng (锦城), or Jinli (锦里). Another interpretation links Chengdu's proximity to the Jin River, which showcases picturesque landscapes reminiscent of embroidered brocade, hence the name.
The phrase "森森" vividly portrays the tall and densely clustered cypress trees. Historical records found in books such as "Rulin Gongyi" 《儒林公议》 and "Taiping Huanyu Ji" 《太平寰宇记》mention a large cypress tree in front of the Wuhou Shrine, believed to have been personally planted by Zhuge Liang.
The poem can be divided into two parts. The first four lines lament the state of the Prime Minister's Shrine, expressing the poet's concerns for the present through scenic descriptions. The following four lines praise the virtues and talents of the prime minister, evoking memories of this esteemed historical figure and encompassing the poet's hopes and aspirations for the fate of their homeland. The poem as a whole carries profound depth and a deeply melancholic tone. It is concise yet rich in meaning, showcasing a remarkable ability to encapsulate Zhuge Liang's life within its mere 56 characters, presenting him as a figure destined for eternal renown. When patriots and ordinary readers recite this poem, a profound admiration for Zhuge Liang inevitably wells up, particularly when contemplating the lines "Though he failed to achieve his goals, he perished in advance, / Forever bringing tears to the hearts of heroes," which stir one's emotions and may even evoke tears.
Artistically, the poem adopts a question-and-answer format, skillfully juxtaposing reality and imagination, blending emotion with scenery, and seamlessly interweaving narration with discourse. Its structure unfolds with a sense of progression and transition, creating layers of emotional impact. Additionally, it showcases the linguistic elegance of refined expressions, polished phrases, and harmonious tones, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. Du Fu's poetry is renowned for its "profound melancholy," and this poem stands as a representative example.
Through its exploration of historical sites, this poem conveys profound admiration for Zhuge Liang's remarkable talents, unwavering loyalty to his country, and a lamentation for his premature death before attaining ultimate victory.
Line Breakdown
丞相祠堂何处寻？锦官城外柏森森。
In quest of the Prime Minister's hallowed shrine, Where Jin Guan City rests, where cypresses entwine.
These couplet lines, the first being "In quest of the Prime Minister's hallowed shrine, " pose a self-inquiry. Instead of using "Shu Prime Minister," it opts for the phrase "Prime Minister," which evokes a strong sense of familiarity.
Particularly noteworthy is the inclusion of the word "seek (寻)" indicating a purposeful and dedicated visit, rather than a casual stroll. As Du Fu was new to Chengdu, unfamiliar with the geography and surroundings, he employs this word "seek" to emphasize his quest. This word carries rich connotations, powerfully expressing Du Fu's deep admiration and reverence for Zhuge Liang, extending his sentiments from the person to the location itself.
It further conveys the poet's long-standing desire and eagerness to behold the temple of the Prime Minister. The subsequent line, serves as a self-response. It portrays the scene observed by the poet, depicting the external view of the Prime Minister's temple and highlighting its location, in alignment with the preceding line. The phrase "cypresses stand tall" creates an atmosphere of tranquility and solemnity. These two lines directly correspond to the poem's title establishing a commanding presence and utilizing a narrative and descriptive style.
映阶碧草自春色，隔叶黄鹂空好音。
The jade-hued grass adorns the steps with grace, While warblers sing, their golden notes embrace.
The second couplet depicts these vivid scenes with vibrant colors and melodious sounds, juxtaposing stillness and movement, creating a serene and naturally beautiful representation of the flourishing spring within the temple of the Prime Minister.
However, while nature is in the season of spring, the hope for the revitalization of our homeland appears exceedingly faint. Contemplating this, the poet cannot help but feel a sense of melancholy and sorrow, hence the phrases "in the midst of spring hues 自春色" and "the melodic tune resounds in emptiness 空好音" The interplay between "in the midst" and "emptiness" portrays a state of tranquility and stillness. The poet infuses his subjective emotions into the objective depiction of the scenery, bringing life to the surroundings and conveying his inner sadness through the portrayal of nature. It reflects the poet's patriotic spirit and concerns for the nation and its people. Through the lens of this patriotic sentiment, the image of Zhuge Liang shines even more brilliantly in the poet's eyes.
三顾频烦天下计，两朝开济老臣心。
Thrice sought, burdened with the realm's vast affairs, In two reigns, solace to loyal hearts he shares.
"Three sought (三顾) " refers to the occasions when Zhuge Liang, during his seclusion in Nanyang, was visited three times by Liu Bei. As stated in Zhuge Liang's "Memorial on Behalf of Departure," he says, "The late Emperor did not regard me as lowly or insignificant but instead graciously sought my counsel, visiting me three times in my humble cottage."
“先帝不以臣卑鄙，猥自枉屈，三顾臣于草庐之中。” - 《出师表》
"Frequent troubles" indicates numerous instances of burdensome tasks. Another interpretation, found in Wang Shi Han's (汪师韩) "Compilation of Poetry Studies" 《诗学纂闻》 from the Qing Dynasty, suggests that "frequent troubles (频烦) " was a common phrase in the Tang Dynasty, with a meaning similar to "with great solemnity (郑重)"
"Worldly strategies (天下计) " refers to the plan for unifying the realm. Specifically, it pertains to Zhuge Liang's strategy of establishing a base in Jingzhou and Yizhou, rectifying domestic affairs, forming an alliance with Sun Quan in the east, resisting Cao Cao in the north, and then unifying the realm. "Two dynasties (两朝) " refers to both Liu Bei, the founding emperor of Shu, and Liu Shan, his successor. "Open and assist (开济)" signifies assisting Liu Bei in establishing his foundation, while "relieve" refers to helping Liu Shan in times of crisis. "Relieve" can also be interpreted as accomplishing goals, as well as preserving and completing the endeavor. "Old minister's heart (老臣心)" refers to Zhuge Liang's unwavering loyalty to Shu Han, exerting his utmost efforts until his passing.
These two lines are written with profound depth and carry a wealth of meaning. They vividly express the remarkable strategic vision, deep patriotic concerns, and lifetime achievements of Zhuge Liang, while also portraying his unwavering loyalty and unwavering character.
They solemnly articulate the reasons for the poet's admiration for Zhuge Liang. As these two lines serve as the focal point and essence of the entire poem, the poet subtly builds up momentum from the beginning, steadily circling around, and finally focuses and emphasizes them with intense brushstrokes. This aligns with the poetic principle of "one line strong, one line light (宜乎一浓一淡)" in regulated verse.
Moreover, these lines serve as an exemplar of Du Fu's incorporation of commentary into poetry. Generally, lyrical expression is the prominent feature of poetry and does not typically include commentary. However, Du Fu breaks this convention and often infuses his poetry with commentary. This not only gives his poems a distinctive character but also showcases a technique of his poetry.
出师未捷身先死，长使英雄泪满襟。
Ere victory, his life's flame extinguished too soon, An anguish that doth heroes weep and hearts attune.
The phrase "Ere victory, his life's flame extinguished too soon" refers to Zhuge Liang's six expeditions to Qishan (祁山) in his attempt to attack Wei. In the 12th year of the Jianxing (建兴) reign of the Later Shu Han (234 AD), Zhuge Liang led a large army and advanced through Xiegu (斜谷), occupying Wuzhangyuan (五丈原). For over a hundred days, he confronted Sima Yi (司马懿) across the Wei River. In August, he passed away from illness while still in the military camp.
The term "heroes (英雄)" here is used broadly to encompass both the poet himself and other ambitious individuals who mourn Zhuge Liang. These closing lines connect with the fifth and sixth lines, expressing the poet's profound admiration for Zhuge Liang's spirit of self-sacrifice and his sorrow for his unfinished endeavors.
