Song of the Qin
English translation and interpretation are being reviewed.
请奏鸣琴广陵客。
月照城头乌半飞，
霜凄万树风入衣。
铜炉华烛烛增辉，
初弹渌水后楚妃。
一声已动物皆静，
四座无言星欲稀。
清淮奉使千余里，
敢告云山从此始。
English translation
The host has wine, let us enjoy the evening, we beg the Guangling player to sound the ringing lute.
The moon lights the city wall, half the crows in flight, frost is chill, the wind enters our clothes among the myriad trees.
The bronze brazier and bright candles add their glow, first he plays Green Waters, then the Lady of Chu.
One note, and all things fall still, the four seats are silent, the stars begin to thin.
Along the clear Huai I was sent on a mission a thousand li, I venture to tell you, from here the clouded mountains begin.
Meaning
The host sets out wine, and tonight we gather in gladness; the lute-master plucks the strings to grace the feast.
The bright moon shines upon the city wall where the crows fly about; the cold frost descends, and the chill wind pierces our clothes.
Warm glows the brazier, and the painted candles add their light; the player first performs the Lu Shui, then the Chu Fei.
When once his strings sound, all things fall silent; the whole company is speechless, holding their breath to listen.
Commissioned to a post far from home by the clear Huai, I bid you all farewell: I shall retire to the cloud-girt hills.
Background
Read the background
This poem was written around 745 (the fourth year of the Tianbao era), shortly before he was commissioned to go southeast; at this time Li Qi was probably serving as a gentleman-officer (langguan) in the Department of State Affairs.