Eulji Mundeok Hansi
Eulji Mundeok Hansi is the oldest surviving poem in Korean literature.
| Eulji Mundeok Hansi | |
| Hangul | 을지문덕 한시 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 乙支文德 漢詩 |
| Revised Romanization | Eulji Mundeok |
| McCune–Reischauer | Ŭlji Mundŏk |
Context
In the second Goguryeo-Sui War, Eulji Mundeok maneuvered the Goguryeo troops so that they engaged the Sui army seven times a day, each time feigning defeat and retreating, leading the Sui army deeper south with the perception of victory. The Sui army eventually advanced to about 20 km from Pyeongyang, the capital of Goguryeo. However, realizing the advanced hunger and exhaustion of his troops, and perceiving the formidable fortifications of Pyeongyang, Yu Zhongwen realised the looming impossibility of continuing the campaign. To taunt Yu Zhongwen, Eulji wrote the poem in sarcasm and sent it to the enemy general. The Sui army was annihilated at the Battle of Salsu.
Text
The poem reads,
| Hangul | Hanja | English |
| 신책구천문 | 神策究天文 | Your divine plans have plumbed the heavens; |
| 묘산궁지리 | 妙算窮地理 | Your subtle reckoning has spanned the earth; |
| 전승공기고 | 戰勝功旣高 | You win every battle, your military merit is great; |
| 지족원운지 | 知足願云止 | Why then not be content and stop the war? |