Ode to the Cicada, Written in Prison
English translation and interpretation are being reviewed.
南冠客思深。
那堪玄鬓影，
来对白头吟。
露重飞难进，
风多响易沉。
无人信高洁，
谁为表予心？
English translation
In autumn the cicada's song begins, the prisoner in the southern cap is deep in thought.
How can I bear your dark-winged form, singing to a white-haired head?
The dew is heavy, flying is hard, the wind is much, your voice is soon lost.
No one believes in my purity, who will speak my heart for me?
Meaning
In late autumn the cold cicada cries without ceasing, and its voice carries the sorrow of this prisoner far away.
How can I bear it, in the prime of life with dark hair at my temples, to chant alone so mournful a poem as the 'Song of White Hair'?
The autumn dew is heavy, and even with both wings spread the cicada can hardly fly high; the cold wind sighs, and easily drowns its song.
Who can believe that the autumn cicada is so pure and incorruptible? And who will clear the name of an innocent and upright man like me?
Background
Read the background
This poem was written in 678 (the third year of the Yifeng era of Emperor Gaozong of Tang). In that year Luo Binwang, who had languished in low posts for more than ten years and had just been promoted to investigating censor, offended Empress Wu by submitting a memorial on affairs of state; he was falsely accused and imprisoned on a charge of corruption. This poem was written while Luo Binwang lay in prison.