Temple Rock Luotian

Temple Rock Luotian

by Yue Fei

I hike to Yellow Dragon cave, bamboo cane in hand.

The old tiger's lair empty but for the cubs' tracks.

Concealed deep in clouds the rock is hardly seen.

Only pine and bamboo left trembling in west winds.

The great national hero Yue Fei (1103-1142) fought the invading Nizhen (Jurchen) armies, winning a succession of resounding victories. He was persecuted by a capitulationist emperor and his trusted prime minister.