Send-Off to General Li of the Qian-Niu Corps - Li Shangyin
/送千牛李将军 - 李商隐/
A Stirring Farewell Echoing with Loyalty and Honor
古道萧萧送远蹄
On the ancient road, the wind sighs as your distant horses depart
边关霜月满旌旗
At the frontier pass, the frosty moon bathes your banners in pale light
千牛恩重辞朝宴
Graced by imperial favor, you leave the courtly feast behind
一剑寒光伴远思
A single sword, coldly gleaming, carries your distant hopes
笳鼓悲鸣沙上夜
Reed flutes and war drums lament through the desert night
羽书星火犯关时
Urgent dispatches flash like stars when trouble strikes the border
挥手更惜同袍泪
Waving goodbye, we cherish our comrades’ tears
却期凯捷再相随
Yet we await your triumphant return so we may ride forth once more
In “Send-Off to General Li of the Qian-Niu Corps,” Li Shangyin weaves together martial valor, heartfelt loyalty, and the poignant sadness of parting. The poem begins by capturing a somber farewell scene: an ancient road and the softly sighing wind set a reflective tone. This terrain, both literal and symbolic, underscores the distance between the comforts of court life and the harsh realities awaiting at the empire’s fringes.
Historically, the “Qian-Niu Corps” served as an elite bodyguard or ceremonial guard close to the emperor. Their departure would have carried great significance, linking imperial favor with the gravity of military duty. Here, banners under a frosty moon represent a blend of glory and chill foreboding, as the soldiers move toward potential danger. Alongside them travels the solitary image of a gleaming sword—a symbol of both courage and the isolation that often accompanies a soldier’s calling.
Li Shangyin also highlights the camaraderie shared by fellow warriors. Reed flutes and war drums echo across the desert, signifying both the stirring call to arms and the emotional weight of separation from loved ones. The poem’s closing lines gesture toward hope: despite tears, those gathered trust that the general and his men will return victorious. This interplay of sorrow and optimism epitomizes Tang poetry’s nuanced approach to duty, friendship, and the transience of human affairs. Ultimately, the poet reminds readers that military campaigns, while shrouded in risk, forge powerful bonds of loyalty and an abiding faith in reunion.
Key points
1. Military duty in the Tang era combined grandeur with profound risk and sacrifice.
2. Farewell scenes in classical Chinese poetry often balance heartbreak and hope.
3. Symbols like the moon, banners, and a lone sword deepen the emotional resonance.
4. Li Shangyin employs elegant imagery to honor the bravery of soldiers while acknowledging the toll of separation.
