Top 10 Best Poems by the Scholar Lê Quí Đôn

The Stubborn Snake

Not one to dawdle, but a homebody at heart!
The snake, headstrong, refuses to part.
Mother's heart aches under the lamp's dim glow,
Now, father's neck suffers under the serpent's sharp art.
Its mouth, familiar with deceit and guile,
Its back bears the scars of the whip's style.
From now on, Trâu Lỗ vows to learn with fervor,
Lest he be likened to the tiger, infamous in this life's trial!

Commentary:

Legend has it that a high-ranking official visited Mr. Lê Trọng Thứ, encountered Lê Quý Đôn on the way, and the latter accidentally acted disrespectfully. Upon arriving home, Mr. Trọng Thứ called his son out, reprimanded and beat him. Impressed by the boy's intelligence, the official pardoned him on the condition that he compose a poem as an apology. The boy proposed the title himself. The official said: Your father already said you were a 'stubborn snake,' so take that as your theme. The boy pondered for a moment and then recited the poem above.

The theme was set by the official, implying the boy's stubbornness and aversion to learning. However, Lê Quý Đôn skillfully incorporated the word 'snake' into the content of each verse: the dawdling snake, the headstrong snake, the snake by the fiery lamp, the serpent's roar, the deceitful snake, the snake's back, the tiger-headed snake, and likening himself to Confucius - Mencius (from now on, Trâu Lỗ vows to learn with fervor). The official was deeply impressed.

Ancient Lòng Citadel

All things ponder upon myriad reflections
Passing by, they land on the spring-like shore
The lush woods cleanse Tran dynasty's grudges
The serene Mộc Thạnh aged in the bamboo grove
The phoenix dances alone, guarding the ancient sword
The cold moon's melody echoes, bidding farewell to the tower's remnants
Amidst the storms, will the cause be fully revealed?
Nghiêu Thuấn's tenure merely spans nine provinces!

The Lòng Citadel was built by Mộc Thạnh, a Ming general, in Ninh Bình.

Mother, I Want to Get Married

(Deadline: If a maiden's itch has come early)

Does mother think wisely? Con thinks not foolishly!Must pick the right husband, only then the maiden is content.Heart touched should meet, consented pairs must also coincide.Mother ponders, how to find a good match for the house's peace; con's mind also desires, to settle things amicably.Thought con now:Encountering the lotus bloom, in the budding age,Recounting the gallants, the charming scene of youthful love, adorning with cosmetics, lips painted and cheeks rouged.Like willow branches in spring, days and nights preserved; peeking through the peach blossom door, years of anticipation,Whose gaze casts doubts, thus avoiding jests; hearing the barking of dogs, blame befalls quickly.Con presents the idea, mother, please heed.Also just two friends, also a household pair.Why have they found someone, while we are still empty-handed?Not attaining tranquility, neither turning to enlightenment, even when sincerely devoted, it becomes a demon?How does Ngâu still exist, the Ngân river awaits crossing the ferry, the moon still nourishes Uncle Cuội, clouds closing the door inside?Observing creatures within the earth and sky, pondering worldly affairs;Knowing a bit of life's scent, even more the fragrance of moonflowers.Rejoicing at the sight of a suitable match, but fearing overly mature, lest the plum blossom falls prematurely.Even if humble or noble, some cherish the maiden's lot: pressing oil, anciently who forbade the woman's fate?Mother, please consent, for con's firm resolve;Wants a virtuous wife, finding a decent groom,Hopes to mend the purse, raising the scarf, whenever seeds are sown;Agreed upon ten, seen nowhere; day by day, hearts are impatient.Remembering gatherings by the Hán river, viewing the maiden's fate, the dragon's pride already has clouds; hoping for joy at the Tần pier, excitedly raising hands, seeing sisters, instinctively envious.Con thinks eating isn't enjoyable, sleeping isn't restful, nights are filled with bitterness; tired of combing hair, tired of looking in the mirror, days are increasingly melancholy!Mother hopes for a full moon, flowers in bloom, but who to express love to! Love between sisters, garments divided, possessions have no one to rely on,Disgusted with the game of love, bound by fate's board, daring to open one's heart to confess, who knows! Happily filled with paddy, knows no hunger, let those who missed bear the loss!So con wants:Equals sister with sister, having a pair and a couple;What's the harm in a well-behaved cat, also wanting to chase after a milking goat?Don't scold the old lady's playacting, her attempts at matchmaking; let the young one follow her heart's desires, lest regret later!No blame to the daughter's holding on, thinking like her brings more sadness, also seeing who sits on the straw mat, busy with no one to scratch?Mother still hears ten elephants without a basin of rice porridge, waiting for moments of tired wrists, years of enduring hardships.Con foolishly thinks, even a hundred pigs have one heart; afraid when fire and straw are close, an hour is easy to keep.Con still knows:Smart men have a hundred virtues, foolish girls have seven professions;The spring heart suddenly moves, spring matters should be avoided,Hugging a phoenix, bedspread fluttering, who believes a bee's message to a butterfly's departure.How good it is that early plums ripen late, why forbid a long-billed bird's murmuring; even if there are gourd flowers and bottle gourds, clever are those who are disgusted!Mother, don't block the market, dam the river, leave the world's people to tease, let con lead the hoe across the river, freely laugh and joke.Moral:If fate decides one has it, mother also hopes con finds it soonIf to marry, don't complain; if complaining, don't marry, don't bring old age's pickiness; why shouldn't one meet, why meet if not intended, then have to endure life's nonsense.Many times annoyed at silly deeds, because the path twists and turns, many times at rock bottom, can't temporary authority suffice?Perhaps when young and tender, even a daughter's fate, a moment's appearance has already loved, waiting for someone to follow side by side, reluctant to see who wouldn't shiver?Beautiful fate, then marry, where to exchange husks for rice; surely one must follow destiny, managing worldly affairs with a grain of bran.So a poem says:Human destiny is predetermined in any place,Why does con now think, mother plans how?Con wants to marry early for sure,Lest others take away the chance to wail!Mother old hears saying, advising con sweetly:As long as there are maidens, many suitors come and go;Who knows which fate prefers rose petals, to hope for a beautiful fate;Hurry up is no good, when the time comes, it will be;Also let others point out Tấn and Tần, just keep oneself precious as gold; for those deserving a husband, lend a hand to a phượng bird; better to greet guests and bid farewell!Why worry about a shortage of husbands: the more graves, the more solid the grain; also think of springtime maidens, good pearls wait for high prices...

Gia Cát Lượng

Dragon's ridge lies tilted, singing merrily,For gratitude deep, how to express!Two expressions of loyalty in battle revealed,With eight items, the array becomes high.Three divisions meet, amidst war's tumult,Five tridents, where suddenly darkness falls.Old shrines from past to present,Respect rises, knowing it's boundless!Source: Trần Trung Viên, Literature repository, Văn học Publishing House, 2004

Inscription for Từ Thức Cave

Heard of celestial wonders in dreamlike tale,
Bích Đào Cave now lies deserted, wild and pale.
Từ Thức clad in rough garment seeks the celestial everywhere,
Amidst clouds and water, Giáng Hương's eyes hope he'll fare.
Nearby, moonlight shines, within the cave, stones echo a knock,
Dewdrops soak salt flats, salt turns pale as chalk.
Many believe Từ Thức meets celestials like (Lưu Nguyễn) in Heavenly Realm's play,
But who knew the Heavenly Realm was just a jesting fray.

Commentary:

Từ Thức Cave, also known as Bích Đào Cave, located in Nga Thiện commune, Nga Sơn district, Thanh Hóa province, is a famous scenic spot of our country, associated with the story of Từ Thức meeting a celestial, recorded in Nguyễn Dữ's Truyền kỳ mạn lục. Two inscriptions in Chinese characters can still be seen on the cave wall today, one by Lê Quý Đôn engraved on a stone slab erected at the cave entrance in 1905, and one by Lord Trịnh Sâm dated 1771.

Tranquil River of Lương Phúc

The little river merges with the Moon River's flow,
A lone thatched hut stands at the old ferry's bow.
The sky vast, tranquil clouds, autumn hues sway,
The majestic Tam Đảo mountains seem close, in the day.

Translation

The small river joins the stream of the Moon River,
A straw-thatched hut stands at the head of the old ferry.
The sky wide, calm clouds, autumn colors trembling,
The Tam Đảo mountains appear grand yet close, resembling.

Lương Phúc River: A small river in Thiên Phúc district, Bắc Ninh city.
Source: Lê Quý Đôn's Poetry (Selected Poems from Quế Đường Anthology), Cultural Information Center, Thái Bình, 1976

Majestic River Above

The winding river follows its own course,
Gentle breezes ripple, creating azure hues.
Far away, Tam Đảo mountains pierce the sky,
Surveying other peaks like dignified escorts.

Wander at Bích Đào Cave

On the sea's surface, fairy tales unfold,
Bích Đào Cave's mouth lies ancient and desolate.
Accompanied by Kiền Khôn and Từ Thức,
Amidst the clouds and waters, old Giáng Hương stands.
Ancient rocks echo the moon's clarity,
Dew drips endlessly, blending with autumn mist.
Humanity toils within dreams of heavenly realms,
Yet the celestial realm remains an enigma.
Bích Đào Cave, also known as Từ Thức Cave, in Nga Sơn District, Thanh Hoá Province.
Source: Vietnamese literary collection, Saigon Culture Publisher, 2005

Gia Cát Lượng

Beneath the vast heavens, tales of valor echo,
In deep gratitude, how do we truly know?
Two expressions of allegiance, hearts revealed,
Eight banners arrayed, prices soar.
Three banners meet on the field of strife,
Five weapons poised, whence comes the dark?
From ancient shrines to the present day,
Our reverence springs eternal.

Source: Trần Trung Viên, Literary Records, Literature Publishing House, 2004

Tranquil Harmony

Far and wide, pointing to distant hamlets,
Emerging from peril to plains serene.
Along the way, many thatched houses dot,
Half bamboo, half home, a rustic scene.
Weary birds fly to sparse forests for rest,
Cool monkeys descend from cliffs with ease.
Year after year, the burden of mail shift,
People's sentiments, words withheld, at ease.

Source: Lê Quý Đôn's Poetry (Selected Works from the Quế Đường Poetry Collection), Thai Binh Cultural Information Center, 1976