In Praise of a Steed

Li He (AD 790-816) was the descendant of a noble lord but his family fortunes had declined when he was still very young. He left home at the young age of 17 to wander around the country and passed away at the early age of 27. His poems were very much at not being able to serve his country. Li He was a born poet and during his brief life span composed many poems. It was said that he composed poems everyday. Today we have 230 of his poems remaining.

This poem is apparently about a steed and its misfortunes but it is actually an allegory of his own ill-fated life. It starts with the declaration that "this steed is no ordinary horse." The ancient Chinese astrologers believed that when the star Antares was bright in the night sky, the king would turn out to be a wise ruler. In this case, the steed, although a real bright star, has been left to waste, implying that the government of his time was corrupt and unable to recognize or appreciate real talent.

The third line tells us that the steed looks scrawny. To most people, it would seem a weak and useless horse. Yet if you knock at its bony frame, you will hear the sound of solid brass. It is because of the advertises experienced that the steed appears weak, but it is actually from good quality stock. The poet is telling us not to judge the true worth of a person by his outward appearance or behavior for, often, it is the difficult conditions of the person's life that make him appear unworthy.

Through this allegorical poem about a horse, Li He relates his own unfortunate experience and the dire circumstances of his life.