宋 Song · 诗 Poem
送朱师古龙图少卿帅潼川二首 其一
Seeing Off Zhu Shigu, Vice-Minister of the Longtu Pavilion, to Command Tongchuan (One of Two)
璧水蓬山徧羽仪，颂台公府更光辉。
紫荷到眼垂持橐，黄菊关心便拂衣。
鬻子运筹年尚少，买臣衣绣日思归。
小烦谕蜀须还报，却袖香烟侍太微。
The purple lotus pouch hangs at hand, the tablet-case borne — yet yellow chrysanthemums fill your heart, and you'd brush your robe to leave.
Like Yuzi you plan strategy while still young; like Maichen in embroidered robes you'll long for home.
A small trouble — go proclaim Shu, but be sure to report back; then with sleeves of incense attend the Supreme Palace.
Meaning
This is a farewell to Zhu Shigu on his appointment as military governor of Tongchuan (in Shu). Two threads run through it: praise of his illustrious career and exhortation to merit — the poet honors his high office, hopes he will achieve glory and think of home, and, likening him to Sima Xiangru proclaiming Shu, urges him to serve the throne upon return. It is a public farewell that entrusts duty within friendship.
你出身太学与馆阁的清流,才德出众,堪称众望所归;如今登上颂台公府这样的显要位置,更添光彩。紫荷簪笔、近侍持橐的荣宠已到眼前,而你心中牵挂的却是黄菊篱下的归隐,到时便会拂衣而去。暂且烦劳你像司马相如那样去宣谕巴蜀,事成之后一定要回来复命,那时你将重入朝堂,侍奉君王。
Appreciation
The eight-line seven-character poem is woven entirely of allusion, ornate yet not without backbone — a deliberately dignified mode unlike Yang's usual fluent 'Chengzhai' manner. The first couplet praises his pure, noble origin; the second sets the purple-lotus pouch against the yellow chrysanthemum (glory vs. retirement), showing ease in advance and withdrawal; the third urges merit through historical figures; the close hopes for his return to court. The antitheses are precise yet the breath flows — scholarly and affective at once.
【白话串讲】 杨万里送朱师古去潼川：“璧水蓬山徧羽仪，颂台公府更光辉”。“紫荷到眼垂持橐，黄菊关心便拂衣”——“小烦谕蜀须还报”——他写送别与勉励。 【意象与手法】 此诗以典故织体,辞采华赡而不失气骨。首联璧水蓬山写其清贵出身,颔联紫荷持橐与黄菊拂衣对举,一荣一隐,见其出处从容;颈联鬻子运筹、买臣衣绣以史事勖其功业,尾联谕蜀还报、袖香侍太微寄望还朝。通篇属对精工而不伤气,典重之中自有流转。 【情感与主旨】 此为送朱师古出帅潼川之作,以颂美与劝勉为两大线索。诗人既颂其仕途荣显,又望其功成思归,更以相如谕蜀相勉,寄予抚蜀还朝、辅佐天子的期许。赠行公卿不惟颂其荣,更责其任,于私谊中见公义,切人切事,寄望深长。 【名句点睛】 “小烦谕蜀须还报”举重若轻,以烦劳小事相托,把出镇一方的重任说成举手之劳,既颂其才力恢宏,又透出故交间的亲切;以小烦之轻托还报之重,期望与信任俱见。
Background
Yang Wanli (courtesy Tingxiu, hao Chengzhai), of Jishui, was one of the four great mid-Southern-Song poets, known for the 'Chengzhai style.' This poem sees off Zhu Shigu to govern Tongchuan; the title 'Longtu Shoring' shows he held the title of Longtu Pavilion Academician or Direct Longtu. Tongchuan (present Santai, Sichuan) was a key Shu town; a governor there bore heavy responsibility. Zhu, not prominent in histories, was likely a Qing-yao court official and Yang's friend. The poem's two threads are praise and exhortation: the first two couplets write his ease in advance and withdrawal (Jade-water and Mount Peng for his Hanlin purity, purple-lotus pouch for his attendancy); the last two urge merit through Yuzi and Maichen, closing with Xiangru proclaiming Shu and hope of return to attend the emperor. Yang, who served three reigns and spoke frankly as censor, often lodged admonition in parting gifts; here, with the difficulty of Shu governance, he expects both talent and duty — public right within private friendship.
杨万里,字廷秀,号诚斋,吉州吉水人,南宋中兴四大诗人之一,以诚斋体著称。此诗为送别朱师古出任潼川府路帅守而作,题称龙图少卿,知其时为龙图阁学士或直龙图阁而兼少卿之衔。潼川即今四川三台一带,宋置潼川府路,为蜀中重镇,帅臣出镇一方,责任綦重。朱师古其人,史传不显,然既为诚斋赠行之友,当系朝中清要之臣。全诗以颂美与劝勉为两大线索:前两联极写其出处之荣,璧水蓬山喻其翰苑清华、清要之地,紫荷持橐写其近侍禁闼、簪笔之贵;后两联转以史事勖勉,以鬻子运筹、买臣衣绣激励其年少建功、功成思归,末以谕蜀还报、袖香侍太微寄望其必返朝廷,辅佐天子。考杨万里一生,仕高宗、孝宗、光宗三朝,屡任言官,知无不言,其赠人之作每寓规箴,此诗亦然。蜀地自唐以来即号难治,诚斋以相如谕蜀之事相勉,既是颂其才,亦是责其任,情理兼备,可见其赠行诗的深厚用心。考诚斋生平,一生好奖掖后进,提携同类,集中赠行送别之作数以百计,而每首必切其人、当其任,不作泛泛客套。朱师古以龙图少卿之衔出帅蜀中,实为方面之寄,诚斋于临别之际,不惟颂其荣,更望其功,赠言之中,自有官箴之意。南宋入蜀者,每以道途险远、吏治难理为忧,诚斋以相如谕蜀相期,正见其为友谋者之周,亦见其为国虑者之切,此种于私谊中见公义的笔法,正是诚斋赠行诗高出流辈之处。
Art
The eight-line seven-character poem is woven of allusion throughout, ornate yet backbone intact — a dignified piece unlike Yang's fluent everyday manner, fit for a public farewell. The first couplet sets Jade-water and Mount Peng against court terrace and mansion, writing his move from academies to high office, open and expansive. The second couplet sets the purple-lotus pouch (attendancy) against the yellow chrysanthemum (retirement), glory and leisure both seen, ease in advance and withdrawal. The third uses Yuzi planning and Maichen in embroidered robes to urge youth and merit and thought of home; the close 'a small trouble — go proclaim Shu, but report back; then with sleeves of incense attend the Supreme Palace' hopes for his return, grand in close. The allusions are dense yet the sense flows; the antitheses precise yet not choking — scholarly with movement. The four couplets each serve: experience, bearing, urging, return; the four senses glory, leisure, merit, home run through; the title 'command Tongchuan' echoes throughout, nothing vague. Though dignified, function-words (all, more, just, then) flow between, so the heavy allusion does not hide the breath — the key to a scholar's poem not turning stiff.
此诗七言八句,通篇以典故织体,辞采华赡而不失气骨,是诚斋集中偏于典重的作品,与日常流利的诚斋体判然有别,盖赠行公卿,自宜庄雅。首联璧水蓬山与颂台公府对举,写其由学馆清流登朝堂贵显的仕履,徧羽仪、更光辉两语,笔致开张。颔联紫荷垂持橐与黄菊便拂衣相对,一写近侍之荣,一写归隐之思,荣与闲并见,见其出处从容。颈联用鬻子运筹、买臣衣绣两典,以少、归二字分点,勉其趁年富力强建功立业,又望其功成之日勿忘故园,史事入诗,对仗工稳。尾联小烦谕蜀须还报,却袖香烟侍太微,以相如谕蜀故事嘱其抚蜀还朝,末句太微乃天象帝廷之名,以香烟侍帝为喻,寄望高远,收得堂皇。通篇用典密而义脉贯,属对精而不伤气,典重之中自有流转,可见诚斋亦擅此体,非徒以白描见长。细审其脉,首联由馆阁之清华写到台省之荣显,是叙其经历;颔联以近侍之荣与归隐之思对举,是状其胸襟;颈联以史事勖其功业,是励其远行;尾联以还朝相期,是收其全局。四联各司其职,而荣、闲、功、归四义,一线贯穿,题面帅潼川三字,始终在诗中呼应,无一处泛写。且通篇虽典重,而虚字如徧、更、便、却等,流转其间,使浓重的典实不掩其气,此正是学者之诗不流于板滞的关键。
Allusions
Nearly every line uses a source, all fitting the title and man. 'Jade-water' from the Li-ji (the Zhou imperial academy, ringed by water like a jade bi) means the imperial university; 'Mount Peng' (Penglai) the Tang term for the secretariat or Hanlin, a pure, key office — together his pure origin. 'Purple-lotus pouch' from the Nan-shi (the secretary presenting matters with a brush in a purple-lotus bag) became the allusion for a closer attendant. 'Yellow chrysanthemum' uses Tao Yuanming's eastern-hedge chrysanthemums and his retirement. 'Yuzi' is Yuxiong, King Wen's teacher, author of the 'Yuzi,' famed for wisdom; 'planning' from the Shi-ji ('plan within the tent') — his strategy. 'Maichen' (Zhu Maichen) of the Han, once poor carrying firewood, later prefect in embroidered robe, returning home in glory. 'Proclaim Shu' uses Sima Xiangru's 'Proclamation to Ba and Shu,' honoring his mission. 'Supreme Palace' (Taiwei), a star enclosure for the Emperor's court, means returning to serve. All have basis, none vacant.
此诗几乎句句用事,而皆切合题面与人物。璧水出《礼记·王制》,周代太学辟雍形如璧环,圜水环绕,故称璧水,后世以喻太学;蓬山即蓬莱,唐人每以蓬山代指秘书省、翰林等清要之署,李商隐蓬山此去无多路,即用此意,两句合言其由馆阁清流而登华显。紫荷典出《南史·刘杳传》,谓尚书郎奏事簪笔,其袋以紫荷为之,所谓紫荷持橐,遂成近臣之典。黄菊便拂衣,用陶渊明采菊东篱而辞官归田之意,写其胸怀澹远。鬻子乃鬻熊,周文王师,著书《鬻子》,以智谋著称,运筹之喻,出《史记·留侯世家》运筹帷幄之中,合言其雄才似之。买臣衣绣,用《汉书·朱买臣传》事,朱买臣家贫负薪,后拜会稽太守,衣锦还乡,绣衣者,官服之华,喻功名成就。谕蜀用司马相如《喻巴蜀檄》故事,相如奉使抚谕蜀民,此以勉其出镇蜀中。太微为星垣之名,天帝所居,喻朝廷,侍太微即还朝侍君之意。诸典皆有所本,无一虚设。且黄菊便拂衣,兼用渊明《归去来兮辞》归去来兮,田园将芜胡不归之意,与紫荷持橐相对,一簪笔于朝,一采菊于野,出处之辨,正见君子之道。鬻熊一书,今存者虽为后人辑本,然战国秦汉间已颇流行,汉志著录于道家,其书以帝王谋略为说,故以运筹属之,与留侯之典相配,写其才兼文武,措置各有其宜。太微一典,又与紫微遥应,始见其贵于朝,终望其归自蜀,首尾回环,章法精密。
Commentary
Yang Wanli's skill in parting poems is long praised. The Qing Weng Fanggang, in 'Shizhou Poetry Talks,' said Yang's seven-character old-style is like gold spears and iron horses, freely charging, while his regulated parting pieces are elegant and lawful, good at using sources — this is representative. Fang Hui's 'Win Cup Law Marrow' records few of Yang's poems but notes his parting works 'fresh in style, yet his gifts to men always fit the man, his allusions always fit the post, never flattered.' The Qing Wang Shizhen also said Yang's presentation-and-reply poems each resemble their subject, feeling and writing born together. The modern Qian Zhongshu, in 'Song Poem Selections,' noted Yang's 'living method' and ready wit, yet his learning and precise allusion are not vulgar either. This poem praises with Jade-water and purple-lotus, urges with Yuzi and Maichen, hopes return with Xiangru — layer on layer fitting, allusion without tedium, the union of scholar's poem and talent's brush. It proves Yang could be dignified beyond the fresh — a corrective to those who learn only his vulgar liveliness and miss his law.
杨万里赠行诗之工,历来为诗家所称道。清人翁方纲《石洲诗话》论诚斋诗,谓其七言古诗如金戈铁马,纵横如意,近体赠别之作则典雅有法,善于使事,此篇正其代表。方回《瀛奎律髓》录诚斋诗不多,然评其送行诸作曰:廷秀诗格清新,然其赠人必切其人,用事必当其位,非泛作谀词者。清人王士禛《池北偶谈》亦称诚斋集中题赠送答之作,各肖其人,情文相生。近人钱锺书《宋诗选注》评杨万里,谓其擅用活法,笔端有口,然学殖之富,使事之切,亦非俗手可及。此诗以璧水、紫荷颂其荣,以鬻子、买臣勖其功,以谕蜀望其还,层层贴切,处处用事而不觉其赘,正是学者之诗与才人之笔的结合。诸家所论诚斋能于清新之外复见典重,此篇可为一证。要之,诚斋于南宋诗坛,以活法、透脱开生面,而其集中实兼有众体:流利者如诚斋体之白描,典重者如本首之使事,豪迈者如江湖之放笔,各极其致。学诚斋者但取其俗而失其雅,但见其活而遗其法,皆非知诚斋者。此诗于严整中见流走,于典实中见情谊,正可矫学诚斋者之偏,故论者每举为诚斋七律赠行之作的代表。
Prosody
Line by line
璧水蓬山徧羽仪，颂台公府更光辉。
From the Jade-water and Mount Peng your bearing shone everywhere; the court terrace and noble mansion glow the brighter — the opening praises his pure origin and rising honor.
你出身太学与馆阁的清流,才德出众,堪称众望所归;如今登上颂台公府这样的显要位置,更添光彩。
The Jade Pool and the Mount of Peng have seen your statesman's grace; the Eulogy Hall and the public office add further luster.
首联以对仗写其仕履之荣,璧水蓬山连用两典,指其清贵出身,徧羽仪三字写其才望,已为众人表率,更光辉则进而写其荣登枢要、增辉庙堂。两句由学而至仕、由清而至显,层层递进,颂美得体而不谄媚,为全诗定下庄雅格调,也暗含朝廷得人的欣慰。且璧水蓬山皆虚指清贵之地,并非确指某署,虚处落笔,更显得其仕履之清光四射,而徧羽仪三字,又见其声望所孚,不惟己荣,实为众望,为后文帅蜀之任、还朝之期,俱下注脚。
The opening couplet writes the glory of his official career in parallel: the Jade Pool and the Mount of Peng use two allusions together, pointing to his pure and noble origin; the three words statesman's grace write his talent and renown, already the model of all; the words add further luster then step further to write his ascending to the pivotal and adding luster to the court. The two lines from study to office, from pure to eminent, layer by layer, the praise proper yet not fawning, fixing the dignified key of the whole, and secretly holding the relief of the court's winning a man. Moreover, the Jade Pool and the Mount of Peng are all vaguely referring to the pure and noble places, not exactly a certain office; the brush in the void the more makes his career's pure light shine, and the three words statesman's grace further show the trust of his renown, not only his own glory, but really the hope of all, laying a note for the later charge of commanding Shu and the time of returning to court.
紫荷到眼垂持橐，黄菊关心便拂衣。
The purple lotus pouch hangs at hand, the tablet-case borne — yet yellow chrysanthemums fill your heart, and you'd brush your robe to leave — glory and retirement set side by side, showing his ease in both.
紫荷簪笔、近侍持橐的荣宠已到眼前,而你心中牵挂的却是黄菊篱下的归隐,到时便会拂衣而去。
The purple lotus pen-case is before your eyes, the pouch in hand; the yellow chrysanthemum tugs your heart, and you will brush your robe and go.
此联一荣一隐,对举见其出处从容,紫荷持橐写禁庭近侍之贵,黄菊拂衣写渊明归隐之志,荣利与闲澹兼于一身,人物形象顿见风致。到眼与关心、垂与便,虚字绾合,把荣宠之来与归思之生写得自然而然,正见其人非溺于名位者,为尾联必返朝廷的期许预作铺垫。且黄菊拂衣,看似与出仕相左,实则正是其胸次高旷的证明:能忘荣利者,方能久居荣利而无患得患失之心,作者特于此联写出其人品,则后文托以重任,便觉水到渠成,颂人之深,正在于此。
This couplet sets glory and reclusion against each other, showing his ease in going out and staying: the purple lotus pen-case and pouch in hand write the dignity of the near attendant in the forbidden court; the yellow chrysanthemum and brushing the robe write Yuanming's will to reclusion; glory and gain and leisure and plainness both in one, the man's image at once showing grace. The words before the eyes and tugs your heart, the function words垂 and便, link the coming of glory and the birthing of the thought of return naturally, exactly showing this man is not one drowned in rank, laying a ground for the closing expectation of his return to court. Moreover, the yellow chrysanthemum and brushing the robe seems opposed to taking office, yet really is the proof of his lofty breast: only the man who can forget glory and gain can long dwell in glory and gain without the heart of anxiety over gain and loss; the author especially writes his character in this couplet, so that the later entrusting of heavy responsibility feels as if water had reached its channel, and the depth of praising a man lies exactly here.
小烦谕蜀须还报，却袖香烟侍太微。
A small trouble — go proclaim Shu, but be sure to report back; then with sleeves of incense attend the Supreme Palace — the close entrusts the Shu mission and hopes for his return to court.
暂且烦劳你像司马相如那样去宣谕巴蜀,事成之后一定要回来复命,那时你将重入朝堂,侍奉君王。
A small charge: to proclaim the edict in Shu, you must return and report; then, sleeves wreathed in incense, wait on the Great Tressure.
尾联以谕蜀之典勉其抚蜀,以还报二字郑重叮咛,责任所在,不容久留;末句却袖香烟侍太微,以香烟缭绕中的帝廷写其还朝之荣,寄望之高、情谊之切,尽在其中。一个却字,转折轻灵,把出守与还朝两段行程绾合为一,全篇在此收束,余意悠远。且还报二字,分量极重,是使臣对天子的承诺,也是对国家的责任,以小烦之轻,托还报之重,举重若轻之间,期望与信任俱见,而却袖香烟,更写得从容雍雅,如见其人捧笏还朝之状,全诗于此,收得堂皇得体。
The closing couplet uses the allusion of proclaiming the edict in Shu to encourage his soothing Shu, and the two words return and report exhort solemnly, the responsibility not allowing a long stay; the closing line, sleeves wreathed in incense, wait on the Great Tressure, writes the glory of his return to court in the emperor's court wreathed in incense smoke, the height of expectation and the warmth of friendship all within. The single word yet turns with light nimbleness, linking the two journeys of going out to command and returning to court into one, the whole closing here, the aftermeaning distant. Moreover, the two words return and report carry great weight, the envoy's promise to the Son of Heaven, and the responsibility to the state; taking the light of a small charge and entrusting the weight of return and report, between bearing the heavy as light, expectation and trust both appear; and sleeves wreathed in incense further write composure and elegance, as if seeing the man holding the tablet returning to court; the whole poem closes here, grand and proper.
Study
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王勃诗与君离别意,同是宦游人,无为在歧路,儿女共沾巾,以知己相勉、豪迈豁达取胜,重在抚慰离情;杨万里此作则以璧水紫荷颂其出处、鬻子买臣勖其功业,重在期许事功。王诗以情胜,通篇白描,一洗儿女之态;杨诗以典胜,使事切题,寄望深长。同以蜀地为归趋,一写别情之豁达,一写仕途之荣显,可见初唐之雄浑与南宋之典丽在同一母题上的不同取向。且王勃以少年之情写别,故豪而能旷;诚斋以老成之笔送行,故典而能厚,一为离别的心理安慰,一为仕途的前程期许,同是赠蜀之作,而立意之深浅,正见时代与年辈之异。
送梓州李使君 Farewell to Prefect Li of Zizhou 王维 · 同写送人赴蜀任职,一以景起,一以典起 Related readingCompare this related work with the poem above through theme, imagery, tone, and emotional movement.
王维诗万壑树参天,千山响杜鹃,以巴蜀奇景起兴,山中一夜雨,树杪百重泉,全是画境,末以文翁翻教授,不敢倚先贤,用文翁治蜀之典勉之,景与典相融;杨万里此诗则以璧水蓬山、紫荷持橐诸典直接铺陈其人的清贵与才具,典中见人。王诗以画入诗,取景灵动;杨诗以典入诗,运思深密。对读可见山水诗人与理学家诗人笔法之别,而期许循良治蜀之心则古今一致。且王维以文翁为比,取其兴学;诚斋以相如为比,取其谕俗,一教一谕,皆蜀地故事中最切于吏治者,两诗取典之精,正可见作者对蜀中掌故的熟稔,亦见赠行诗须切地切人,方为上乘。