Qingping Tune: Poem Three
Famous flowers and a celebrated beauty delight each other;
Their ruler often watches them with a smile.
They dispel unbounded sorrow in the spring breeze,
As he leans on the rail north of Chenxiang Pavilion.
Notes
Qingguo describes an exceptionally admired figure. Jieshi means to dissolve or dispel here, not “explain” in the modern sense. Spring breeze may also be read figuratively. Chenxiang Pavilion is the named court setting.
Meaning
Flowers and a celebrated figure please the ruler; in the spring setting, sorrow seems to dissolve beside Chenxiang Pavilion.
Appreciation
Flowers, a celebrated figure and an observer share one courtly scene, grounded by the final place name.
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The opening pairs the flower and figure; the second line turns to the smiling ruler.
Jieshi carries an older sense of dispelling; spring breeze can be read literally or figuratively.
The closing posture at the railing gives the scene a concrete place.
About the poet
Li Bai (c. 701–762), courtesy name Taibai, was a Tang poet whose travels inspired many poems about landscapes, friendship and journeys.
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Life: Li Bai grew up in the Shu region and traveled widely. He was summoned to serve at the Tang court before continuing his journeys.
Works: His poems include Thoughts on a Quiet Night, Viewing the Waterfall at Mount Lu and To Wang Lun.