Chants under the Moon at the West Tower of Jinling [Tang Poems]

— Li Bai

The cool breeze blows on silent night in Town of Stone,

To view the south I mount the high tower alone.

White clouds and city walls mirrored on ripples swoon;

Dewdrops look like pearls dripping from the autumn moon.

Crooning long, I won’t go back; drowned in moon rays;

How few are connoisseurs in my eyes since olden days!

Seeing the river crystal-clear and silver-white,

How I miss the poet Xie Xuanhui bright!

金陵城西楼月下吟

–[唐]李白

金陵夜寂凉风发，

独上高楼望吴越。

白云映水摇空城，

白露垂珠滴秋月。

月下沉吟久不归，

古来相接眼中稀。

解道澄江净如练，

令人长忆谢玄晖。

Note

The poet gives free rein to his imagination in describing the scenery of Jinling or the Town of Stones: clouds could swoon, pearls could drip from the moon, and the poet could be drowned in moonlight. The poet refers to Xie Tiao (464—499), styled name Xuanhui.

Xie Tiao (464–499), a prominent poet of the Southern Qi Dynasty, is renowned for his landscape poetry, which pioneered the fresh and natural style. He served as Governor of Xuancheng, where he composed works like Climbing the Eastern Fields and Managing the Residence, blending refined imagery with philosophical depth.

Li Bai (701–762) held Xie Tiao in profound admiration, citing him as a literary role model.

Their bond transcended time:

• Li Bai frequently quoted Xie Tiao’s lines and praised his “clarity and spontaneity”.
• Li Bai visited sites like Xuancheng and Jinling, where Xie Tiao had lived, penning nostalgic poems like Autumn on Xie Tiao’s North Tower.
• Both poets shared struggles with political disillusionment. Li Bai lamented Xie Tiao’s untimely death, mirroring his own frustrations.