— by Du Fu [Tang Dynasty]
In the eighth month, the autumn sky is high, and the wind howls in fury,
Tearing away three layers of thatch from the roof of my cottage.
The thatch flies across the river, scattering over the suburban banks;
The higher pieces snag on the treetops of the distant forest,
The lower pieces tumble and sink into the muddy ponds.
The village children from the south tease me, knowing I am old and weak;
How can they bear to act as thieves right to my face?
They openly clutch the thatch and dash into the bamboo grove.
My lips are parched and my throat dry, yet I cannot shout them down;
Returning home, I lean on my staff and sigh to myself.
In a moment, the wind dies down, but the clouds turn the color of ink;
The autumn sky stretches vast and boundless, fading into a gloomy dark.
My cotton quilt, used for many years, is as cold as iron;
My spoiled child tosses and turns in sleep, tearing the inner lining.
Nowhere at the head of my bed is dry from the leaking roof;
The rain falls in unbroken threads, thick as hemp.
Ever since the outbreak of war and chaos, I have had little sleep;
How can I endure this long, wet night until daybreak!
Where can I find ten thousand mansions of spacious halls,
To shelter all the impoverished scholars of the world, making them smile with joy?
Standing firm against wind and rain, as secure as a mountain!
Alas! When will this towering vision suddenly appear before my eyes?
Even if my own cottage alone is broken and I freeze to death, I would be content!
Note
Historical Background: The An Lushan Rebellion
This poem was written in the eighth month of 761 CE (the second year of the Shangyuan era under Emperor Suzong of Tang). In 760, Du Fu had managed to build a thatched cottage by the Huanhua Stream in Chengdu, finding a temporary refuge. However, in August 761, a fierce gale destroyed his roof, followed immediately by a torrential downpour. At this time, the devastating An Lushan Rebellion (755–763 CE) had not yet been quelled. This massive civil war had plunged the once-prosperous Tang Dynasty into chaos, causing millions of deaths and widespread displacement. The poet’s physical suffering in the poem is deeply intertwined with his grief for his shattered nation.
The “Song” Genre
The title includes the character “Song” (歌), indicating that this is a Gexing (歌行) poem, a form of ancient verse characterized by its free meter, flexible line lengths, and narrative-lyrical style. Unlike strictly regulated verse, this form allows the poet to express intense, unbridled emotions and tell a story with dramatic pacing.
The Plight of the “Impoverished Scholars”
The climax of the poem, “To shelter all the impoverished scholars of the world”, is one of the most famous lines in Chinese literature. “Han-shi” literally translates to “cold scholars,” referring to poor, unestablished intellectuals who were often displaced by war or failed the imperial examinations. Du Fu’s wish extends far beyond his own physical comfort; it is a profound expression of the traditional Confucian ideal of universal benevolence and his deep empathy for the suffering masses.
茅屋为秋风所破歌
杜甫〔唐代〕
八月秋高风怒号，卷我屋上三重茅。
茅飞渡江洒江郊，高者挂罥长林梢，下者飘转沉塘坳。
南村群童欺我老无力，忍能对面为盗贼。
公然抱茅入竹去，唇焦口燥呼不得，归来倚杖自叹息。
俄顷风定云墨色，秋天漠漠向昏黑。
布衾多年冷似铁，娇儿恶卧踏里裂。
床头屋漏无干处，雨脚如麻未断绝。
自经丧乱少睡眠，长夜沾湿何由彻！
安得广厦千万间，大庇天下寒士俱欢颜，风雨不动安如山。
呜呼！何时眼前突兀见此屋，吾庐独破受冻死亦足！
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