Tang Yun唐韵

No. 26 · Five-character regulated verse

使至塞上

On Mission to the Frontier

Shǐ Zhì Sài Shàng

by Wang Wei 王维 · 699 – 761

  • Frontier
  • Desert
  • Travel
单车欲问边A single carriage, I go to inspect the frontier;
属国过居延past the vassal lands, beyond Juyan.
征蓬出汉塞Tumbleweed drifts out of the Han fortresses;
归雁入胡天homing geese fly into the northern sky.
大漠孤烟直In the great desert, one column of smoke stands straight;
长河落日圆on the long river, the setting sun is round.
萧关逢候骑At Xiao Pass I meet a scout —
都护在燕然the commander is at Mount Yanran.