Observing the Hunt - Wang Wei
/观猎 - 王维/
A Vivid Scene of a Brisk Frontier Hunt
风劲角弓鸣，
The wind blows fiercely, the horn bows resound,
将军猎渭城。
A general hunts in the lands by the Wei River.
草枯鹰眼急，
Withered grass sharpens the eagle’s keen gaze,
雪尽马蹄轻。
As the last of the snow melts, horse hooves seem weightless.
忽过新丰市，
Suddenly, they pass the market at Xinfeng,
还归细柳营。
Heading back to camp at Xiliu.
回看射雕处，
Turning back to where the hawk was shot,
千里暮云平。
They see twilight clouds stretching level for a thousand miles.
In “Observing the Hunt,” Wang Wei offers a snapshot of a frontier hunting expedition during the Tang Dynasty. The poem’s brisk pace and dynamic imagery transport the reader to a moment when nature, military might, and the thrill of the chase converge. From the opening lines, we hear the wind whistling across taut bowstrings and sense the charged atmosphere as the general and his company ride out.
A visual contrast emerges between the barren winter landscape—withered grass and melting snow—and the heightened alertness of both men and birds of prey. Wang Wei underscores this tension by highlighting the eagle’s keen vision, which parallels the sharp focus of the hunters themselves. The passing through Xinfeng Market injects a human element, reminding us that even amid wilderness and martial splendor, daily life unfolds nearby.
The poem’s final lines convey the grandeur of the vast frontier at dusk. With the hunt concluded, the riders turn back and witness a seemingly endless stretch of evening clouds. This sudden turn from frenetic action to serene contemplation is a hallmark of Wang Wei’s style, merging vivid movement with a quiet, almost meditative awareness of nature’s majesty.
“Observing the Hunt” therefore captures more than just a militaristic pastime—it frames the interplay between humankind’s pursuit (of both game and power) and the open, indifferent canvas of the land. Wang Wei’s painterly approach makes this only eight-line poem feel visually rich, balancing the excitement of the chase with a subtle acknowledgment of nature’s enduring calm.
Key points
Wang Wei’s poem highlights how momentary bursts of activity—like a hunt—unfold against a vast, unchanging backdrop. Amid the keen eyes of eagles and the thunder of galloping hooves, the frontier environment remains ever-present. The poem suggests that even as humans pursue their ambitions, they remain part of a larger, timeless landscape that both accommodates and outlasts any fleeting display of power or pageantry.
