— by Tao Yuanming (Jin Dynasty)
Prince Dan of Yan was skilled at nurturing brave retainers,
With a will to take vengeance against the mighty Qin.
He gathered the finest among a hundred men,
And at the year’s end, he found Master Jing.
A gentleman dies for his soulmate;
Drawing his sword, he departed from the capital of Yan.
White horses neighed upon the broad road,
As his companions saw him off with generous sorrow.
His hair bristled, pushing his tall hat askew;
His fierce spirit surged, lifting his long tassel.
They drank a farewell toast upon the banks of the Yi River,
Surrounded by a gathering of heroes.
Gao Jianli struck his mournful zhu (a stringed instrument),
And Song Yi sang in a resounding voice.
The bleak, sorrowful wind swept away;
The cold, rippling waters arose.
The mournful Shang melody drew flowing tears;
The stirring Yu notes startled the brave warrior.
He knew in his heart that he would not return,
Yet he knew he would win eternal fame for posterity.
Boarding the chariot, when did he look back?
The flying canopy rushed into the court of Qin.
Fiercely he traversed ten thousand miles,
Winding his way past a thousand cities.
When the map was unrolled to the end, the moment arrived;
The mighty lord was struck with panic and dread.
Alas! His swordsmanship was flawed,
And the miraculous deed was ultimately left undone.
Though the man has long since perished,
A thousand years later, our lingering affection for him remains.
Note
The Historical Event: The Assassination of the King of Qin
This poem recounts a famous historical event from the late Warring States period (circa 227 BCE). Prince Dan of the State of Yan, whose state was threatened by the expanding Qin state, hired an assassin named Jing Ke to kill the King of Qin (who would later become Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China). Jing Ke’s plan was to present a map of a coveted territory as a peace offering. Hidden inside the rolled-up map was a poisoned dagger. When the map was fully unrolled, the dagger was revealed, and Jing Ke lunged at the king. The assassination failed, and Jing Ke was killed.
The Farewell at the Yi River
The central scene of this poem is the legendary farewell at the Yi River. This is one of the most iconic scenes of heroism and tragedy in Chinese literature. Jing Ke knew he was embarking on a suicide mission. The mournful music, the bleak wind, and the cold water perfectly mirror the tragic atmosphere of a hero marching knowingly toward his death.
Numerous ancient poems eulogize Jing Ke. The most celebrated is Song of Yi River:
“The wind sighs, the Yi River runs cold;
the hero sets forth, never to return.
He ventures into the tiger‑lair and dragon‑palace;
breathing toward heaven, he stirs up a white rainbow.”
Works such as Luo Binwang’s Farewell by the Yi River are also among them.
Gao Jianli and Song Yi
Gao Jianli (高渐离) was a close friend of Jing Ke and a master of the Zhu (an ancient stringed instrument similar to a zither). After Jing Ke’s death, Gao Jianli attempted to assassinate the King of Qin himself by hiding a lead weight in his instrument, but he was also caught and executed. Song Yi (宋意) was another retainer present at the farewell. Their presence highlights the theme of brotherhood and shared loyalty.
The Shang and Yu Musical Modes
In ancient Chinese music theory, there were five basic musical notes: Gong, Shang, Jue, Zhi, and Yu. The Shang note was traditionally associated with autumn, sorrow, and mourning. The Yu note was associated with winter, but in martial contexts, it represented a stirring, heroic, and vigorous emotion. Tao uses these musical terms to vividly describe how the music shifted from deep sorrow to heroic resolve, mirroring Jing Ke’s state of mind.
Tao Yuanming’s “Fierce Resolve”
Tao Yuanming is often stereotyped as a peaceful, detached hermit who only wrote about chrysanthemums and wine. However, this poem shatters that illusion. By praising Jing Ke’s bravery and lamenting his failure, Tao reveals his own hidden “fierce resolve”. Written during the chaotic usurpation of the Jin dynasty by the warlord Liu Yu, this poem is widely interpreted as a political allegory. Tao’s admiration for Jing Ke reflects his own unfulfilled desire to see a hero rise up and overthrow the tyrannical usurper, proving that beneath his tranquil exterior, Tao possessed a passionate, rebellious spirit.
The Tragedy of Flawed Swordsmanship
Tao’s lament that “his swordsmanship was flawed” is a poignant reflection on the tragedy of human endeavor. Jing Ke had the courage, the loyalty, and the perfect opportunity, but ultimately failed due to a lack of martial skill. This highlights the tragic beauty of the poem: the hero’s spirit is flawless, but the mortal execution is imperfect.
咏荆轲
陶渊明〔魏晋〕
燕丹善养士，志在报强嬴。
招集百夫良，岁暮得荆卿。
君子死知己，提剑出燕京；
素骥鸣广陌，慷慨送我行。
雄发指危冠，猛气冲长缨。
饮饯易水上，四座列群英。
渐离击悲筑，宋意唱高声。
萧萧哀风逝，澹澹寒波生。
商音更流涕，羽奏壮士惊。
心知去不归，且有后世名。
登车何时顾，飞盖入秦庭。
凌厉越万里，逶迤过千城。
图穷事自至，豪主正怔营。
惜哉剑术疏，奇功遂不成。
其人虽已没，千载有馀情。
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