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Monday May 09, 2005

西出陽關無故人

The reporter from PC Week, Taiwan, asked how long I plan to stay in Beijing. I quoted, “西出陽關無故人.” It is from the most well-known poem from Wei Wang, a Tang-dynasty poet. This poem is for his friend who was embarking the ambassadorship to a far-away country. Wei Wang accompanied this friend all the way to this town called Wei that harbors Yu Men Gate (also known as Yang Gate) that guards the border.

Over the centuries, many interpreted this verse. There are two main camps: that his friend does not have any friends west of the gate, or when he comes back, all his old friends will no longer be there. (Wei died few years later and never saw his friend again.)

王維 701-761 Wei Wang, 701-761

陽關曲 The Song of Yu Men Gate

渭城朝雨浥輕塵
客舍青青柳色新
勸君更盡一杯酒
西出陽關無故人
The morning rain washed clean this City of Wei
The inn wall reflects the hue off the willow sprouts
Come on, drink up another shot
West of this gate, old friends no more.

posted by syw May 09 2005, 06:30:57 PM CST Permalink Comments [1]

Trackback URL: http://blogs.sun.com/syw/entry/%E8%A5%BF%E5%87%BA%E9%99%BD%E9%97%9C%E7%84%A1%E6%95%85%E4%BA%BA

Comments:

I have a friend named Wei Wang. But he's not a poet. In fact, he downright offends me with his lack of respect for people in the liberal arts world.

Posted by Meredith on December 03, 2005 at 02:41 PM CST #

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王維 701-761	Wei Wang, 701-761
陽關曲	The Song of Yu Men Gate
渭城朝雨浥輕塵客舍青青柳色新勸君更盡一杯酒西出陽關無故人	The morning rain washed clean this City of Wei The inn wall reflects the hue off the willow sprouts Come on, drink up another shot West of this gate, old friends no more.