The speaker addresses a young woman dressed in blue and scarlet silk, with jewels and a yellow fan, asking why she looks so sad when she has beauty, servants, and wealth. The opening lines pile up rich, delicate images—her gemmed slippers, the butterfly in her hair, the servant awaiting her command—to make her sorrow seem puzzling. The second stanza offers the likely reason: ships are spreading their dark sails, the tide is turning, and soldiers in gleaming armour are heading to war across the sea. Her sadness comes from departure and loss, not from lack of comfort. The poem creates a quiet, melancholy mood by placing private grief against public splendour and the distant threat of war. The lady’s fine things cannot stop the ships from leaving or the soldiers from going.
The Lady with the Yellow Fan — Summary
O little lady with the yellow fan Why are you so sad? Why does a tear stand Like a tea-flower bud upon your cheek? Your dress is of blue and scarlet silk, Your slippers are embroidered with gems, A gold and emerald butterfly has lighted in your hair, Your serving-maid stands near Awaiting your command, And if you lifted but one slender finger A chariot would come and carry you away to your father's palace. Why are you so sad?
It is because the ships beside the shore Spread their dark sails to the sea-blowing breeze; The tide is high, and soon will set toward the distant islands, And there is a gleam of swords and armour, For the soldiers go to war beyond the seas.