Climbing Leyou Plain Before Leaving for Wuxing
In peaceful times, the pleasure belongs to one deemed without talent;
At leisure I love a lone cloud, in quiet I love a monk.
Soon I will take an official post by rivers and sea;
From Leyou Plain I gaze toward Zhaoling.
Notes
Wuxing refers to the Huzhou region. “Without talent” may be self-deprecation or irony. The command banner stands for a provincial appointment. Leyou Plain lay south of Chang’an; Zhaoling is Emperor Taizong’s tomb.
Meaning
Before taking a provincial appointment, the poet recalls his love of quiet and looks toward an imperial tomb from a height.
Appreciation
Peaceful times and “lack of talent” combine in language that can be read as self-deprecation or irony.
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The cloud and monk evoke quiet, set beside the appointment that awaits.
The command banner makes departure for office concrete.
The final gaze toward Zhaoling leaves the speaker’s feelings about court and departure open.
About the poet
Du Mu (803–852), courtesy name Muzhi, was a Tang poet and official from the area of present-day Xi’an. His works include Mountain Journey, Spring in Jiangnan and the prose-poem Efang Palace.
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Life: Du Mu held posts in the Yangzhou area and later served in regional offices, including Huangzhou and Chizhou.
Works: Alongside Qingming, his well-known writing includes Mountain Journey, Spring in Jiangnan and Efang Palace.