一洗万古凡马空:杜甫咏马诗的政治视野

“All Other Ordinary Horses Pale into Mediocrity by Comparison”:On the Political Insight and Vision in Du Fu’s Poetry about Horses

唐代诗人中,善于相马并且了解马的价值,以至于咏马而流传后世者,莫过于杜甫。杜甫在诗中或以马自喻、自伤、自怜,至老而仍念念不忘,实有无限唏嘘在其中。此中关键在于,杜甫的咏马诗不止于自身的感怀,其目光之深邃与高超的政治视野,对于“安史之乱”中战马的关键作用、回纥铁骑的协助及其遗患,以至于乱后藩镇购马的野心,均可谓了然于心。由此可证,杜甫的咏马诗亦是其作品成为“诗史”的重要组成部分,这些诗体现了其对唐王朝的忠诚与政治远见。

Among the poets of the Tang Dynasty,Du Fu(712-770)stands out for his deep understanding of horses and their value,leaving behind a legacy of notable poetry centered on them.In his verses,horses serve as metaphors for his own feelings of sorrow,self-pity,and an enduring longing for his ideals amidst frustration.Crucially,Du Fu’s poetry about horses transcends personal lamentation,which reflects a profound political insight.He keenly recognized the pivotal role of horses during the Anshi Rebellion,the assistance provided by the ethnic Huihe(回纥)cavalry,and the subsequent ambitions of local warlords to acquire horses.Thus,Du Fu’s horse-themed poetry constitutes an important component of his oeuvre,embodying his loyalty to the Tang Dynasty and his political foresight.