野望 Wilderness Prospect
西山白雪三城戍，南浦清江万里桥。
xī shān bái xuě sān chéng shù ， nán pǔ qīng jiāng wàn lǐ qiáo 。
Amidst western peaks, white snow enshrouds three strongholds, Southward, a clear river spans a thousand leagues with bridges bold.
海内风尘诸弟隔，天涯涕泪一身遥。
hǎi nèi fēng chén zhū dì gé ， tiān yá tì lèi yī shēn yáo 。
O'er land and sea, my brethren and I apart, Tears flow like rivers, connected by a shared heart.
惟将迟暮供多病，未有涓埃答圣朝。
wéi jiāng chí mù gōng duō bìng ， wèi yǒu juān āi dá shèng zhāo 。
In twilight's embrace, affliction takes its toll, Yet, no response from the throne, my plea seems to console.
跨马出郊时极目，不堪人事日萧条。
kuà mǎ chū jiāo shí jí mù ， bù kān rén shì rì xiāo tiáo 。
Riding beyond the city, my gaze reaches far and wide, Witnessing the world's woes, a melancholy tide.
Background
In the summer of 760 AD, the first year of Emperor Suzong's reign in the Tang Dynasty, Du Fu found solace. His friends helped him build a thatched cottage by Huanhua Creek (浣花溪) in Chengdu, Sichuan (四川成都). War and turmoil had troubled him, but here, he discovered a moment of peace. His family gathered, and harmony returned to his life. This poem was written in the second year after settling in the cottage.
Overview
"Wilderness Prospect" a poem penned by Du Fu, delves into the poet's profound self-reflection and yearning for his brothers as he rides out to the outskirts. Initially, he seeks to dispel his melancholy, seeking solace in the distant landscape. Yet, his ardent love for his homeland and its people draws him into contemplation on national affairs, his separation from kin, and the vicissitudes of his own life. Emotions of patriotic fervor, familial nostalgia, and sorrow for his ailments converge within, leaving his heart heavy with introspection.
As the horse gallops, Du Fu's thoughts shift from external observation to profound introspection, as revealed in the first three couplets. The final couplet reveals the catalyst behind this shift—the poet's underlying concern for his advancing years and multitude of ailments, which stirs his sense of inadequacy in contributing more to his beloved country, symbolized by the poignant phrase "涓埃未答" (a mere speck of dust yet to fulfill its duty).
Through its artful structure, the poem deftly weaves together Du Fu's sentiments, showcasing his mastery in conveying emotions with fluidity and artful precision. Each line reflects the poet's skillful control, as he bares his heart in this poignant piece of introspection.
Line Breakdown
西山白雪三城戍，南浦清江万里桥。
Amidst western peaks, white snow enshrouds three strongholds, Southward, a clear river spans a thousand leagues with bridges bold.
The first two lines describe the scenery observed during the wilderness prospect: the snowy peaks of the Xishan Mountain (西山) and the clear waters of the Jinjiang River (锦江). The main peak of Xishan is covered in snow throughout the year, hence the use of "白雪" (white snow) to depict it. The mention of "三城" (three cities) refers to the strategic military positions in the region, guarding against potential invasion from the Tibetan Empire (Tufan), making them vital strongholds in the Sichuan region during that time.
海内风尘诸弟隔，天涯涕泪一身遥。
O'er land and sea, my brethren and I apart, Tears flow like rivers, connected by a shared heart.
In the wilderness prospect, a cascade of emotions stirred within, entwining the turmoil of the nation's strife and the poet's personal reflections. The relentless tides of war evoked a poignant nostalgia for brothers dispersed amid the chaos of those times. Amidst the remoteness of Western Sichuan, it felt as if standing on the precipice of the world, far from the familiar embrace of home.
A heartfelt longing for family and country surged, and tears flowed uncontrollably, a testament to the depth of his emotions. With authentic sincerity, the poet conveyed his innermost feelings, leaving none untouched by the power of his raw expression.
惟将迟暮供多病，未有涓埃答圣朝。
In twilight's embrace, affliction takes its toll, Yet, no response from the throne, my plea seems to console.
In the wilderness, a sense of remoteness gripped the poet's heart, amplifying the lament of advancing years and the burden of ailments that came with it. Despite the fervent desire to contribute to the imperial court, he felt the weight of unaccomplished ambitions, and shame tinged his soul. At fifty, he knew well his place in life's latter years.
Yet, even in Western Sichuan's exile, Du Fu's patriotic spirit remained steadfast, unwavering. His yearning for the homeland, reflections on personal circumstances, and the deep-seated desire to serve the Tang dynasty intertwined powerfully. The deft use of contrasting pairs in those middle four lines showcased the artist's skill, effectively conveying emotions both intricate and profound.
跨马出郊时极目，不堪人事日萧条。
Riding beyond the city, my gaze reaches far and wide, Witnessing the world's woes, a melancholy tide.
Upon "跨马" and venturing "出" to the southern "郊," the poet surveyed his surroundings with a panoramic gaze, both near and far. The scene of "南浦清江万里桥" captured at close range, and "西山白雪三城戍" painted from a distance, wove a tapestry of emotions within him.
As he beheld the troops guarding the three cities on Western Mountains and the burdens weighing heavily on the people of Shu region, Du Fu's heart swelled with deep concern for the common folk's plight. The world's affairs, the "人事," weighed heavily on his mind. The transition from "日" to "萧条" in the concluding lines symbolized the shift from light to bleakness, mirroring the desolation and anxiety that engulfed him.
In the essence of "野望," a profound worry lay embedded. The mention of "三城戍" called forth the chaos and troubles of the times, while the reference to "万里桥" stirred a yearning for the return to his beloved Shu region. Thus, the reasons for the intertwining of national and personal concerns in the middle four lines of the poem were laid bare.