[updated September 2022]
Bai Juyi: The Long Song of Remorse
Forward:
This prose poem is so long that it will posted in three parts. The poem is a near-historical account of the love affair between Emperor Xuanzong and his favorite consort of many years, Yang Guifei. Although the events here are historical, Bai Juyi has, of course, added his artistic interpretations and feelings. This story is timeless, in that it is still being recreated in plays, operas, movies and TV programs to this day.
The Long Song of Remorse:
The Tang emperor valued private love, and longed for a beautiful goddess
Although on the throne for many years
He did not get what he desired.
The Yang family had a girl just becoming of age
Who lived within the inner cloistered chambers that no one knew of
Naturally beautiful and self taught.
One day she was selected by the emperor to be his concubine
A returned glance and one smile
Then the attraction grew one hundred fold
The six made-up maids-in-waiting lost their color.
During spring cold spells she was favored
Bathing in the Hua Qing hot water spas
The soft hot spring waters cleaned her fair and delicate skin
Without enough energy
When standing up, the attendants had to hold her arms.
At this time was the beginning of royal favors and requests
With the hair of a cloud, a flower-like face
Her golden hair ornaments gently swayed when she walked
Their honeymoon hours were like living under a warm silk canopy
filled with lotus flower petals.
But as the spring turned into summer
Their short honeymoon became troubled
After this time the emperor stopped having his early morning audiences
He had no free time to entertain at dinner
Or receive royal sexual favors from his many attendants.
As spring followed spring
Night after night the emperor concentrated on just this one lady
Even though the three thousand concubine’s rooms were very attractive
And three thousand to dote on just one man.
Waiting for nightfall in the golden palace
She would finish applying her delicate make-up
After the dinner’s entertainment was finished in the imperial dining hall
Were nights of ecstatic sexual pleasure.
Lady Yang’s sister and brother all given properties and titles of nobility
The Yang family name grew in honor and glory
Her parent’s hearts the most satisfied on this earth under heaven
They did not have a valued boy, but rather a valued girl.
Li Palace as tall as the blue sky and clouds
Music of the immortals drifting on the wind heard everywhere
Slow melodic songs and dances, traditional woodwind and
stringed instruments
All day long the emperor could not get enough.
Notes:
Emperor Xuanzong (685-762): Long reigning emperor (r. 712-756) of China during the Tang Dynasty.
Yang Guifei: Xuangzong’s lover and favorite consort.
Chang’an: Literally means “long peace”. Present day city of Xi’an.
Hua Qing: Hot mineral springs located about 25 miles east of the capital city of Chang’an. Used by emperors since the Western Zhou Dynasty. Today tourists can visit and see the remains of this site.
Li Palace: Built nearby the spas at Hua Qing. Li was the family name of Emperor Xuanzong.