塞下曲
Frontier Ballads
Original
月黑雁飞高，
单于夜遁逃。
欲将轻骑逐，
大雪满弓刀。
Translation
Moonless night, wild geese soar high,
The Chanyu flees in the dark of night.
We’ll sally forth with light cavalry to pursue,
Heavy snow covers every bow and blade.
Line by Line Analysis
About This Poem
This compact frontier poem captures a tense, dramatic moment in mid-Tang border conflicts against nomadic Xiongnu forces. Set on a moonless, snow-laden night, it opens with wild geese soaring—a subtle signal that the enemy leader, the Chanyu, has fled under cover of darkness. The poem shifts to the Tang soldiers’ unflinching resolve: they prepare to chase the retreating foe with light cavalry, only to be enveloped by a sudden heavy snowfall that coats their weapons. Without graphic battle scenes, it conveys the brutal harshness of frontier life and the unwavering courage of soldiers who remain ready to defend their borders, reflecting the Tang Dynasty’s ongoing efforts to secure its northern frontiers.
About the Poet
卢纶
Lú Lún
Lu Lun (c. 739–799) was a celebrated poet of the mid-Tang Dynasty, ranked among the "Ten Talents of the Dali Period." Having experienced the turmoil of the An Lushan Rebellion and served in military camps, he specialized in frontier and parting poems. His works blend heroic grandeur with subtle emotional depth, vividly depicting the harshness of frontier life and the unyielding spirit of soldiers, making him a leading figure in Tang frontier poetry.
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background: In the mid-Tang Dynasty, after the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763), the imperial court’s control over northern frontiers weakened, leading to frequent nomadic raids by groups like the Xiongnu, creating the tense military backdrop for this poem. Cultural Background: Frontier poetry was a prominent Tang literary genre, embodying the era’s martial ethos and national pride, balancing depictions of soldierly hardships with tributes to valor, resonating deeply across both elite court circles and common society. Social Background: Post-rebellion society craved stability and heroic narratives to rebuild national confidence, making poems celebrating frontier bravery deeply relatable and comforting. Personal Experience: Lu Lun served in military camps and traveled to frontier regions, gaining firsthand insight into soldiers’ daily struggles and the drama of border conflicts, which lent raw authenticity to his works. Creative Purpose & Artistic Features: Lu Lun aimed to honor soldiers’ unwavering loyalty and courage without graphic combat scenes. His implicit storytelling uses vivid, concise imagery to build tension, contrasting the enemy’s cowardly flight with the soldiers’ resolute pursuit. The final image of snow-covered bows and blades symbolizes both the harshness of frontier service and the soldiers’ unyielding resolve, creating a lasting impact through understatement and symbolic depth.