薛涛诗

Poems of Xue Tao


Index

酬雍秀才贻巴峡图

Thanking Master Yong for the Painting of the Gorge


千叠云峰万顷湖
白波分去绕荆吴
感君识我枕流意
重示瞿塘峡口图

A thousand folded clouds above vast waters.
White waves dividing ancient Chu and Wu.
I know your feelings as I muse upon my pillow
On your realization of the mouth of Qutong Gorge.

-- 薛涛


废话

I think it most likely that the painting was a gift to the Xichuan commandery and that this thankyou is part of Xue Tao's work as hostess. The reference to her pillow could be a gesture of acknowledging his interest in her, which could be a politic gesture in her position. Otherwise, a famous painter could have given a courtesan a painting. But if they were intimate, would she send him a poem? And a not very intimate poem, at that? All in all, this seems like an official thankyou from a talented official hostess.


Index