— Li Duan
How clear the golden zither rings,
When her fair fingers touch its strings!
To draw attention from the prodigy Zhou,
Now and then she strikes a discord.
Note
Li Duan (c. 743–782) was a poet of the mid-Tang Dynasty, known for his refined, concise style and skillful depictions of courtly life, music, and subtle human emotions. Though not as widely known as some of his contemporaries, his poems often capture delicate psychological moments with elegance and wit.
His short poem “Listening to the Zither” (The Play of the Chinese Zither or Ting Zheng) paints a vivid scene: a zither with ornate golden pegs (made of fragrant jin-su wood) is played by a woman with fair hands before a jade-adorned chamber. The final two lines reveal her hidden motive – she deliberately strikes wrong notes “from time to time,” hoping to catch the attention of a discerning listener, alluding to the famous Three Kingdoms-era general Zhou Yu (Zhou Lang), who was said to notice even the slightest mistake in music.
This playful yet poignant detail transforms a musical performance into a quiet drama of longing and unspoken desire. The poem blends artistry, flirtation, and emotional vulnerability in just twenty characters, showcasing Li Duan’s talent for capturing nuanced human behavior through minimal means.
Story behind the poem
When Li Duan first arrived in Chang’an, his poetic talent quickly earned him a reputation, and he was frequently invited to banquets hosted by aristocrats and high-ranking officials, where music and entertainment were central.
According to Chai Xiao Zhi (Notes on Hairpins) by Zhu Kui of the Tang dynasty, under the entry “Jing’er, Skilled in the Zither,” there is an anecdote that may be the real-life inspiration for this poem:
At a banquet hosted by Guo Ai (son-in-law of Emperor Daizong), a maid named Jing’er – renowned both for her extraordinary beauty and her mastery of the zither – performed for the guests. Li Duan, present among the attendees, kept glancing at her secretly, clearly captivated. Noticing this, Guo Ai playfully declared, “If Master Li can compose an impromptu poem on the theme of ‘playing the zither’ to entertain our guests, I will gladly give Jing’er to him.”
Without hesitation, Li Duan recited on the spot:
“The zither sings with golden cassia pegs, / Fair hands before a jade chamber…”
Guo Ai was greatly impressed, praised the poem highly, and immediately presented Li Duan with not only Jing’er but also the gold and jade wine vessels from the banquet table.
This charming historical episode is likely the true story behind Li Duan’s poem “Listening to the Zither.”
鸣筝
— 李端
鸣筝金粟柱，
素手玉房前。
欲得周郎顾，
时时误拂弦。
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