Frontier Song III
In moonless darkness, geese fly high;
The chanyu flees under cover of night.
Light riders are about to give pursuit,
When deep snow covers bows and blades.
Notes
Frontier Song is a traditional borderland title. Chányú was a title for a Xiongnu leader and here refers to the opposing leader. Light cavalry means riders equipped to move quickly; zhú means to pursue.
Meaning
On a dark night, the chanyu flees as geese fly high. Riders are poised to pursue, while snow gathers on their weapons.
Appreciation
The poem sets a tense frontier scene in darkness and snow, stopping as riders prepare to pursue.
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The first lines move from geese overhead to the opposing leader’s nighttime flight.
The ending shifts from action to snow covering weapons; the outcome of the pursuit is left unstated.
Find the time, weather and actions, then consider why the final image is snow rather than a battle.
About the poet
Lu Lun, courtesy name Yunyan, was a Tang poet associated with the Ten Talents of the Dali era. Sources differ on his exact dates.
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Life: Lu served in official posts and wrote about travel, farewells and the frontier.
Works: This is the third poem in his Frontier Songs associated with Zhang Pushe.
Sources
Poem and reading reference: Shicile · Poet biography reference · poems-db
Translation and explanations by Poetry Buds; review ongoing.