《虞美人》 - 李煜

"Lady Yu's Beauty" is a poignant poem by the Southern Tang Dynasty emperor and poet Li Yu, known for his melancholic and evocative verses that capture the sorrow and longing of a fallen ruler. The poem is believed to have been written during Li Yu's captivity in Kaifeng, the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, following the conquest of his kingdom.

《虞美人》
作者：李煜
春花秋月何时了，往事知多少！
小楼昨夜又东风，故国不堪回首月明中。
雕栏玉砌应犹在，只是朱颜改。 问君能有几多愁？
恰似一江春水向东流。

When will the spring flowers and autumn moon cease to be? How much of the past do I know?

Last night, the east wind blew again upon the small tower, And the moon in the clear sky makes it unbearable to think of my lost homeland.

The carved railings and jade steps should still be there, But only the rouge has changed.

How much sorrow can you have, I ask? It is just like a river of spring water flowing eastward.

The poem opens with a rhetorical question that sets the tone for the melancholic reflections that follow: "春花秋月何时了，往事知多少！" (When will the spring flowers and autumn moon cease to be? How much of the past do I know?). The imagery of spring flowers and autumn moon, symbols of fleeting beauty and the passage of time, evokes a sense of impermanence and loss.

The second couplet delves into the poet's personal experiences: "小楼昨夜又东风，故国不堪回首月明中" (Last night, the east wind blew again upon the small tower, And the moon in the clear sky makes it unbearable to think of my lost homeland). The phrase "故国不堪回首月明中" (And the moon in the clear sky makes it unbearable to think of my lost homeland) highlights the poet's overwhelming sorrow as he is reminded of his former glory and the loss of his kingdom.

The third couplet shifts the focus to the enduring presence of his former palace: "雕栏玉砌应犹在，只是朱颜改" (The carved railings and jade steps should still be there, But only the rouge has changed). The phrase "雕栏玉砌应犹在" (The carved railings and jade steps should still be there) suggests that the physical structures of his kingdom remain, while "只是朱颜改" (But only the rouge has changed) emphasizes the irreversible changes that have taken place, both in his own life and in the fate of his kingdom.

The fourth couplet introduces a rhetorical question that invites the reader to share in the poet's sorrow: "问君能有几多愁？恰似一江春水向东流" (How much sorrow can you have, I ask? It is just like a river of spring water flowing eastward). The image of a river of spring water flowing ceaselessly eastward symbolizes the vastness and depth of the poet's grief, which seems to have no end.

Themes:

• Impermanence and Loss: The poem reflects on the fleeting nature of beauty, power, and prosperity, highlighting the pain of loss and the passage of time.

• Sorrow and Longing: The poem captures the profound sorrow and longing of a fallen ruler, forced to confront the ruins of his former kingdom and the loss of his beloved homeland.

• The Weight of History: The poem acknowledges the weight of history and the enduring impact of personal and national tragedies.

• The Universality of Grief: The poem's exploration of sorrow and longing resonates with readers across time and cultures, offering a poignant expression of human emotions.

"Lady Yu's Beauty" is a timeless classic of Chinese poetry, revered for its evocative imagery, profound reflections on loss and impermanence, and exploration of universal themes. It continues to touch hearts and inspire readers with its poignant expression of human sorrow and the enduring power of memory.