How to Read Chinese Poetry A Guided Anthology

320 t He F i v e Dy na s t i e s anD t He s ong Dy na s t y

ceded. The north had already been an alien regime for over sixty years, but Lu You

wants us to think that every additional year is still greeted with despair by those

who await relief.

The following poem, also by Lu You, presents a completely different mood and

theme:

C 1 5. 6

An Outing to Villages West of the Mountains

Don’t laugh at the peasant’s winter wine

for being murky,

2 In abundant years there are enough chickens and pigs

to entertain a guest.

The mountains are chaotic, the river doubles back and forth,

as if there’s no way through,

4 Dark green are the willows, bright the blossoms,

as one more village comes into view.

Groups of pipe players and drummers follow each other,

Spring Festival must be approaching,

6 Simple and rustic are the villagers’ caps and clothes,

preserving the flavor of ancient times.

If you allow me to visit when I have leisure,

taking advantage of a full moon,

8 I’ll lean on my staff and knock on your door

whenever I can.

[QSS 39:1.24272; JNSGJZ 1.102]

遊山西村 (yóu shān xī cūn)

don’t laugh farmers family winter wine murky 莫笑農家臘酒渾 (mò xiào nóng jiā là jiŭ hún)
abundant years detain guest enough chickens pigs 豐年留客足鷄豚 (fēng nián liú kè zú jī tún)
mountains dense river doubling suspect no road 山重水複疑無路 (shān chóng shuĭ fù yí wú lù)
willows dark blossoms bright again one village 柳暗花明又一村 (liŭ àn huā míng yòu yī cūn)
pipes drums pursue follow Spring Festival near 簫鼓追隨春社近 (xiāo gŭ zhuī suí chūn shè jìn)
clothes caps simple rustic ancient style preserved 衣冠簡朴古風存 (yī guān jiăn pŭ gŭ fēng cún)
from today if allow leisure take advantage moon 從今若許閑乘月 (cóng jīn ruò xŭ xián chéng yuè)
lean on staff no set time night knock door 拄杖無時夜扣門 (zhŭ zhàng wú shí yè kòu mén)
[Tonal pattern IIa, see p. 172]

This poem was written in 1167, when Lu You was living at home. He had returned

home the year before, having fallen into official disgrace for his support of a mili-

tary campaign against the northern Jin (acting on the same sentiments as those

featured in “As Dawn Approached on an Autumn Night, No. 2”) that ended disas-

trously for the Song army. It was four years before Lu You was reinstated as an offi-