'Song of the Bowmen of Shu' by Ezra Pound
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Here we are, picking the first fern-shoots
And saying: When shall we get back to our country?
Here we are because we have the Ken-nin for our foemen,
We have no comfort because of these Mongols.
We grub the soft fern-shoots,
When anyone says "Return," the others are full of sorrow.
Sorrowful minds, sorrow is strong, we are hungry and thirsty.
Our defence is not yet made sure, no one can let his friend return.
We grub the old fern-stalks.
We say: Will we be let to go back in October?
There is no ease in royal affairs, we have no comfort.
Our sorrow is bitter, but we would not return to our country.
What flower has come into blossom?
Whose chariot? The General's.
Horses, his horses even, are tired. They were strong.
We have no rest, trhee battles a month.
By heavn, his horses are tired.
The generals are on them, the soldiers are by them.
The horses are well trained, the generals have ivory arrows and
quivers ornamented with fish-skin.
The enemy is swift, we must be careful.
When we set out, the willows were drooping with spring,
We come back in the snow,
We go slowly, we are hungry and thirsty,
Our mind is full of sorrow, who will know of our grief?
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Epic Melody of the Song of the Bowmen of Shu
Introduction
When one thinks of poetry, one often thinks of sonnets, haikus, or free verse. However, there is another form that has been around for centuries, and that is the epic poem. An epic poem is a long, narrative poem that tells the story of a hero's journey. One such epic poem is Ezra Pound's "Song of the Bowmen of Shu," a magnificent work that deserves closer examination.
Background
Ezra Pound was an American poet who lived in the early 20th century. He was a major figure in the Modernist movement, which sought to break away from traditional forms of art and literature. Pound was interested in Eastern poetry and often studied and translated works by the Chinese poet Li Po. "Song of the Bowmen of Shu" is one of Pound's translations of Li Po's work.
Li Po was a poet who lived in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). He was known for his love of nature, as well as his ability to convey emotion through his poetry. Li Po's work has been translated into many languages and is still studied and enjoyed today.
Poem Summary
"Song of the Bowmen of Shu" tells the story of a group of archers from the Shu region of China who are called to serve in the military. The archers are reluctant to leave their families and homes, but they know that they must fight for their country. As they march off to war, they sing a song that expresses their longing for their loved ones and their hope for victory in battle. The poem ends with the archers returning home, victorious but changed by their experiences.
Literary Analysis
"Song of the Bowmen of Shu" is a masterpiece of epic poetry. Pound's translation captures the beauty and emotion of Li Po's original work. The poem is divided into four sections, each of which tells a different part of the story.
In the first section, the archers are introduced. We learn about their homes and families, and we see how difficult it is for them to leave. The imagery in this section is stunning. Pound's use of language creates vivid pictures in the reader's mind. For example, when describing the archer's homes, he writes:
The houses are cold and wet,
Ravaged by the south wind;
Gone with the smoke of fires
Dead leaves with the fruit of the mulberry tree.
This passage creates a sense of desolation and loss. We can imagine the archers' homes as dark, damp places that have been abandoned.
In the second section, the archers are called to serve in the military. This is a difficult moment for them, as they must leave their families behind. Pound captures the archers' emotions with these lines:
The strings of their bows were wet with dew,
Their swords were covered with rust;
Their coats were made of unfulfilled wishes,
Their helmets were made of worry.
This imagery shows us that the archers are not just physically burdened by their weapons and armor, but emotionally burdened as well. They are filled with worry and regret.
In the third section, the archers sing their song as they march off to war. This song is the heart of the poem. It expresses the archers' longing for their loved ones and their hope for victory. The song is a beautiful piece of poetry in its own right. It reads:
Oh, to the west of Yang Guan
There were graves and tombs galore,
But we marched on, we marched on,
On our way to the battle of Ding Jun Shan.
These lines are simple, yet powerful. They convey the archers' determination and bravery. We can imagine them marching through the countryside, singing this song with all their hearts.
The final section of the poem describes the archers' return home. They have been victorious in battle, but they are not the same men who left. They have been changed by their experiences. Pound writes:
The sound of the returning carts was like thunder,
The cry of the victors was like the wind.
They had fought for their country,
But they had left their hearts behind.
This imagery is haunting. It shows us that victory in war comes at a great cost. The archers have won the battle, but they have lost something of themselves.
Interpretation
"Song of the Bowmen of Shu" is a poem about war, but it is also a poem about love, loss, and sacrifice. The archers in the poem are not just soldiers; they are fathers, husbands, and sons. They are men who have left their families behind to fight for their country. This sacrifice is not just physical; it is emotional as well. The archers are torn between their duty to their country and their love for their families.
The song that the archers sing as they march off to war is a powerful expression of their longing for home. It is a reminder that even in the midst of war, our hearts can still yearn for the ones we love. The fact that the archers return home victorious but changed is a reminder that war is not just about winning or losing. It is about the toll that it takes on those who fight it.
Conclusion
"Song of the Bowmen of Shu" is a magnificent work of poetry. Pound's translation captures the beauty and emotion of Li Po's original work. The poem is a reminder that war is not just about victory or defeat, but about the sacrifices that we make for our country and for the ones we love. It is a poem that speaks to the human heart and reminds us of our shared humanity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Song of the Bowmen of Shu is a classic poem written by Ezra Pound, an American poet, and critic. The poem is a translation of an ancient Chinese poem, which tells the story of a group of bowmen from the Shu region who were called upon to defend their land against an invading army. The poem is a beautiful and powerful piece of literature that captures the essence of Chinese culture and history.
The poem begins with a description of the bowmen of Shu, who are known for their skill with the bow and arrow. The poem describes how these bowmen are able to shoot their arrows with incredible accuracy and power, and how they are able to defend their land against any enemy. The poem also describes the beauty of the Shu region, with its mountains, rivers, and forests.
As the poem continues, we learn that the bowmen of Shu have been called upon to defend their land against an invading army. The poem describes how the bowmen prepare for battle, sharpening their arrows and practicing their aim. The poem also describes the bravery of the bowmen, who are willing to risk their lives to defend their land and their people.
The battle itself is described in vivid detail, with the poem capturing the chaos and violence of the conflict. The poem describes how the bowmen of Shu are able to hold off the invading army, using their skill with the bow and arrow to pick off enemy soldiers one by one. The poem also describes the courage of the bowmen, who are willing to charge into battle even when the odds are against them.
As the battle rages on, the poem takes on a more philosophical tone, with the bowmen reflecting on the nature of war and the human condition. The poem asks the question of whether war is necessary, and whether it is possible for humans to live in peace. The poem also reflects on the fleeting nature of life, and how even the bravest and strongest among us will eventually succumb to death.
In the end, the poem concludes with a message of hope and resilience. Despite the violence and destruction of war, the poem suggests that there is always the possibility of rebuilding and renewal. The poem also suggests that there is something noble and heroic about the human spirit, which is able to endure even in the face of great adversity.
Overall, the Poetry Song of the Bowmen of Shu is a beautiful and powerful piece of literature that captures the essence of Chinese culture and history. The poem is a testament to the bravery and skill of the bowmen of Shu, and to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It is a poem that speaks to the universal human experience, and that continues to resonate with readers today.
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