《短歌行》 - 曹操

"Short Song of Lament" is a renowned poem by the Han Dynasty poet-general Cao Cao, known for its profound reflections on life, loss, and the pursuit of power. The poem is believed to have been written during a time of political turmoil and personal struggles, as Cao Cao grappled with the challenges of leadership and the fleeting nature of earthly achievements.

《短歌行》
作者：曹操

对酒当歌，人生几何？譬如朝露，去日苦多。
慨当以慷，忧思难忘。何以解忧？唯有杜康。
青青子衿，悠悠我心。但为君故，沉吟至今。
呦呦鹿鸣，食野之苹。我有嘉宾，鼓瑟吹笙。
明明如月，何时可掇？忧从中来，不可断绝。
越陌度阡，枉用相存。契阔谈宴，心念旧恩。
月明星稀，乌鹊南飞。绕树三匝，何枝可依？
山不厌高，海不厌深。周公吐哺，天下归心。

Raise your cup, let's sing, how long will we live? Like morning dew, the past days are many.

With a generous spirit, we should lament, Worries and sorrows are hard to forget. How can we dispel our worries? Only with Du Kang's wine.

Green are your blue-green collar and sleeves, My heart is filled with endless thoughts. Just for you, I have been pondering until now.

The deer call out in unison, Eating the wild apple leaves. I have guests arriving, Playing the zither and blowing the reed pipes.

Bright as the moon, when can it be plucked? Worries arise from within, never to cease.

Crossing paths and fields, in vain we rely on each other. Sharing feasts and conversing deeply, My heart cherishes our old friendship.

The moon is bright, the stars are sparse, Crows fly southward. Circling the tree three times, which branch can I rely on?

The mountains never tire of being high, The seas never tire of being deep. Duke Zhou offered his food, The whole world turned their hearts towards him.

Literary Analysis:

The poem opens with a somber tone, emphasizing the brevity of life and the inevitability of loss: "对酒当歌，人生几何？譬如朝露，去日苦多" (Raise your cup, let's sing, how long will we live? Like morning dew, the past days are many). The imagery of morning dew, a symbol of ephemeral beauty, highlights the transient nature of human existence.

The second couplet introduces a sense of determination and resolve: "慨当以慷，忧思难忘。何以解忧？唯有杜康" (With a generous spirit, we should lament, Worries and sorrows are hard to forget. How can we dispel our worries? Only with Du Kang's wine). The phrase "慨当以慷" (With a generous spirit, we should lament) suggests that despite the challenges and sorrows of life, one should face them with courage and resilience. The reference to Du Kang, a legendary figure associated with the invention of wine, suggests that seeking solace in wine may provide temporary relief from worries.

The third couplet shifts the focus to personal connections and the power of friendship: "青青子衿，悠悠我心。但为君故，沉吟至今" (Green are your blue-green collar and sleeves, My heart is filled with endless thoughts. Just for you, I have been pondering until now). The imagery of the green collar and sleeves, symbols of youth and vitality, evokes a sense of longing for the past and the enduring bonds of friendship.

The fourth couplet introduces a scene of nature and hospitality: "呦呦鹿鸣，食野之苹。我有嘉宾，鼓瑟吹笙" (The deer call out in unison, Eating the wild apple leaves. I have guests arriving, Playing the zither and blowing the reed pipes). The depiction of deer grazing peacefully and guests enjoying music and merriment creates a sense of tranquility and camaraderie, offering a brief respite from the poet's inner turmoil.

The fifth couplet returns to the theme of impermanence and the elusiveness of happiness: "明明如月，何时可掇？忧从中来，不可断绝" (Bright as the moon, when can it be plucked? Worries arise from within, never to cease). The imagery of the moon, a symbol of beauty and unattainable perfection, highlights the poet's longing for something beyond his grasp. The phrase "忧从中来，不可断绝" (Worries arise from within, never to cease) underscores the persistent nature of the poet's inner struggles.

The sixth couplet reflects on the futility of relying on others for lasting fulfillment: "越陌度阡，枉用相存。契阔谈宴，心念旧恩" (Crossing paths and fields, in vain we rely on each other. Sharing feasts and conversing deeply, My heart cherishes our old friendship). The phrase "枉用相存" (In vain we rely on each other) suggests that external relationships and shared experiences cannot provide lasting solace for the soul's deeper yearnings.

The seventh couplet paints a melancholic scene: "月明星稀，乌鹊南飞。绕树三匝，何枝可依?" (The moon is bright, the stars are sparse, Crows fly southward. Circling the tree three times, which branch can I rely on?). The imagery of a sparse starry night and crows in southward migration evokes a sense of loneliness and the transience of life. The crow circling the tree three times, searching for a place to rest, symbolizes the poet's own uncertainty and yearning for a source of stability and support.

The final couplet concludes the poem with a shift in tone, offering a glimmer of hope and ambition: "山不厌高，海不厌深。周公吐哺，天下归心" (The mountains never tire of being high, The seas never tire of being deep. Duke Zhou offered his food, The whole world turned their hearts towards him). The imagery of the ever-growing mountains and the boundless sea represents the pursuit of lofty goals and unwavering ambition. The historical reference to Duke Zhou, a wise and benevolent statesman, suggests that true leadership lies in serving the greater good and earning the trust of the people.

Themes:

• The Brevity of Life: The poem underscores the transient nature of human existence, prompting reflection on the importance of making the most of one's limited time.

• Loss and Lament: The poem expresses the poet's personal struggles, anxieties, and the enduring nature of human sorrow.

• Friendship and Camaraderie: The poem acknowledges the importance of human connection and the solace found in shared experiences with friends.

• The Pursuit of Power: The poem reflects on the ambitions of leadership and the challenges of achieving lasting influence.

• Impermanence and the Elusive Nature of Happiness: The poem highlights the fleeting nature of earthly pleasures and the challenges of finding lasting fulfillment.

"Short Song of Lament" is a powerful and introspective poem that resonates with readers across time and cultures. Its exploration of universal themes of life, loss, ambition, and the human condition continues to inspire reflection and conversation. The poem offers a glimpse into the inner world of a complex and multifaceted leader, grappling with the weight of responsibility and the existential questions that come with facing one's own mortality.