SONG OF THE FRONTIER

Du Fu

(712-770, Tang Dynasty)

The bow you carry should be strong;

The arrows you use should be long.

Before a horseman, shoot his horse;

Capture the chief to beat his force!

Slaughter shan't go beyond its sphere;

Each State should guard its own frontier.

If an invasion is repelled,

Why shed more blood unless compelled?

前出塞 

[唐]杜甫

挽弓当挽强,用箭当用长。

射人先射马,擒贼先擒王。

杀人亦有限,列国自有疆。

苟能制侵陵,岂在多杀伤。

About the poet 

Du Fu, one of China's most renowned poets of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) was also very much interested in politics. His greatest ambition was to serve his country as a successful civil servant. Therefore, many of his poems touched on the subjects of social order, morality and ethics.

About the translator 



Xu Yuanchong was born in Nanchang in East China's Jiangxi Province. He was a professor of literary translation at Peking University. 

About the book 



300 Tang Poems / Translated by Xu Yuanchong (1921-2021) Published by China Intercontinental Press