子夜吴歌(其一) - 李白
Ziye Wuge (No. 1) - Li Bai
Reverie of Spring’s Fresh Blossoms
秦地罗敷女
In the land of Qin lived a beauty named Luo Fu,
采桑绿水边
She picked mulberries by the green waterside.
素手青条上
Her fair hands parted the slender leaves,
红妆白日鲜
Her rosy cheeks glowed bright under the sun.
蚕饥妾欲去
As the silkworms hunger, I must go now,
五马莫留连
So do not linger with your five-horse carriage.
In this poem, Li Bai portrays a young woman named Luo Fu gathering mulberries by a green riverbank—an image saturated with spring vitality. Her refined gestures and radiant complexion suggest youth, grace, and an elegant allure. Drawing on the broader tradition of folk songs, Li Bai retains the simplicity of everyday life, yet elevates it through vivid, poetic language. The mention of the "five-horse carriage" symbolizes status or desire, hinting at a potential suitor or official who wishes her to stay. However, the speaker emphasizes that necessity and natural duty—represented by feeding the silkworms—cannot be postponed. This gentle tension between mundane tasks and fleeting romantic connection underlines the poem’s central theme: while beauty and attraction might momentarily bloom, time and everyday responsibilities prevail. Through delicate imagery and a graceful narrative, Li Bai merges the picturesque with a subtle reflection on how momentary encounters must often yield to the rhythms of daily life.
Key points
Readers gain insight into the beauty of simple springtime imagery, the transience of fleeting encounters, and the persistent call of everyday responsibilities.
Comments
Brave White HawkIts theme of gentle night music suggests Li Bai treasured the still moments when souls speak more honestly than in daylight.
Bold EagleThe poem captures a midnight hush, whispered through soft Wu melodies.
Atomic RavenIt’s amazing how a few simple lines evoke both serenity and a faint longing, as if the poet’s heart hovers between contentment and yearning.
Quantum Urban PulseEven though it’s brief, there’s an alluring gentleness in every line. I can almost hear a distant tune carrying the poet’s tender reflection into the silent night.
CosmicBlazI love how he captures the quiet intensity of the late hour, hinting at unspoken emotions that surface only when the world sleeps.
Dark DragonMedium reflection: The poem’s melodic structure draws us in, urging us to slow down and appreciate the fragile calm of midnight. There’s a silent elegance in how Li Bai focuses on a single snapshot of time, making it feel endless and profound. It’s a gentle reminder that even the quietest experiences can hold deep meaning.
Brisk Gray Cat PitCompared to Du Fu’s more somber “春望,” Li Bai’s midnight song radiates a softer, more intimate mood, as though he’s confiding a secret under starlight. (Comparison)
Crimson WolfReading “子夜吴歌(其一)” feels like stepping into a dream, where shadows and moonbeams weave together in hushed harmony.
Icy OxYou sense Li Bai’s poetic spirit in each syllable, tiptoeing across the night’s hush without breaking the spell.
Sharp Gold LionWhenever I read it, I think about modern city nights—artificial lights blazing, yet the same hush can still settle on hearts in the small hours. (Modern incident)
AlphaCyborShort reflection: it’s a delicate lullaby, gently echoing through twilight skies.
Silent RhythmReading it under a dim lamp, I feel like I’m eavesdropping on the poet’s soft reverie—an intimate connection across centuries, bound by the solace of nighttime’s fleeting magic.
Thunder LionShort but resonant: in just a handful of words, Li Bai paints a quiet nocturne full of unsaid possibilities.
AlphaCyborLi Bai’s verses remind me of moonlit ripples on a tranquil river—subtle yet deeply stirring.
