Chinese Poems

POEMS

CHINESE

BY

TRANSLATED

BUDD

CHARLES

HENRY
OXFORD

LONDON,

NEW

FROWDE
PRESS

UNIVERSITY
YORK,

TORONTO

1912

AND

MELBOURNE

OXFORD
HORACE
:

HART

PRINTER
TO

THE
UNIVEHSITV

PREFACE

ZfHE
One

the

in

day

Chinese

of

volume

so

peach flowers fell.'
to

myself,

with
the

of

work

my
book

the

of

may

forth

larger

readable

to

;

poems

publish

interest
criticism
volume

in

readers
that

ichich

had

in

so

this
in

made

will

/,
A

or

2

rain

I

lands,

useful

in

said

went

on

to

quoted

friends

some

have

I

and

of

translation

these

thinking

some

doing

icas

metaphor

hours

ballads,

be

desk

I returned

and

me

volume,

opened
my

'"Red

free

a

the

leisure

other

I

evening

to

on

then

and

seen

and

I

refreshing, I

be

the

seemed

translation

more

some

I

in

a?id

poetry

which

phrase,

this;

as

But

again.

in

The

pleasantly

day

a

Chinese

poem

above.

venture

such

on

As

pages.

loould

That

lying

teas

the

sight of

caught

eye

my

the

over

feeling

documents,

that

poetry

accidental.

was

last summer,

of

commercial

listlesslyturned

and

little book

this

early part

of translating

weary
a

of

initiative

and

lated
trans-

I

that

they

also

call

preparing

better

now

a

qualified

4

PREFACE

said

if

publish hereafter; for

scholar, may

poetry has been

fieldof Chinese

that the

hardly

can

explored by foreign students of the Chinese
the

of

Many

translations

literal,excepting adaptations to
and

rhyme
readers

rhythm

understand

to

actually U'ritten,in
chiefaim of the

Whether

poem.
in

such

readers

a

many

of

these poems,

stumbling
extricate

A

few

to

enable

well

implied, as

should

as

be to create

the sensory
when

moved

attained

a

atmosphere
he wrote

of

measure

be

must

in mind

this

by

Chinese
the

and

into

expanded

ofpoetry

decided

these

kind

students

language

stories

the

success

by the

and

more

that

less

or

there

are

legends related

versions^ again, have

variously interpreted by
of
reflection

exigenciesof

translations.

the

versions

nearly

are

original; for, after all, the

of the poet

be borne

with

is

task
difficult

of these

familiar

ichat

reader

I have

very

It should

are

the

of the

the mind

in which

some

translator

the mind

around

but

;

the

meet

widely

language.

this booJc

in

be

Chinese

icill

often

difficulties
from

poets.
save

ivhich

a

been

A

little

critic

it is not

in

from

easy

to

himself.
notes

are

given

at

the end

of

each

poem

to

5

PREFACE

historical

explain
notes

required

are

the

Indeed,
maTces

the

mind

poems

by

Night

to

his

little

for

the

Spray,'

'The

for

Spring,'

three

thousand

human

nature

show

years
as

it is

into
and

A

'

'

Wife,'
us

that

ago

The

Wen

Kwan

Shanghai,

words

differed

Lo-Fu^
River

a

1912.

Office,

of

Brevity
Fareicell

nature

not

such

of

'The

Soldier's

human

of

Reverie,'

the

on

my

field

two

whit

to-day.

Translation

March,

the

Frontier'

'A

nature

on

Lady

CHARLES

Tung

of

Maiden's

'"Reflections

Innkeeper's

Wife,' "c.,

the

themselves.

impressed

been

excursion

Back,'

other

many

touch

One

'

thoughts

Journey

leaving
in

saying^

this

not

explain

poems

Jciti,'has

Fragrant

a

'Conscripts

Life,'

'

the

as

the

world

poetry,

Only

by

of

whole

deeply

Chinese

'

truth

the

as

but

Sc.^

names^

BUDD.

or

from

CONTENTS
PAGE

A

Few

Remarks

History

the

on

Poetry

Chinese

OF

struction
Con-

and

10
...

The

Technique

Poetry

Chinese

of

18
.

Biographical

Notes

of

Chinese

EMINENT

few

a

of

the

.

more

Poets

27
....

POEMS

Only

Fragrant

a

Spray

35
.

The
The
A

River

by Night
of

Beauty

Spring

in

37
.

Snow

41
....

Reverie

Maidens

42
....

A

Song

of

The

Cowherd

The

Old

Marches

the

and

Soldiers

47

Spinning

the

-Maid

50

Return

52
.

On
The

An

the

Lake

Happy
Old

Lament

The

Waters

^fountains

Western

54

Farmer

57
....

Unroofed

House

The

the

near

of
of

the
the

Ladies
Mei-Pei

by

an

of

Autumn
the

Siang

Gale
River

59
61
63

8

CONTENTS
PAGE

Swallow

The

Farewell

s

to

a

Reverie

in

.

Comrade

71

Snare

74

Summer-house

76

Beauty's Fatal
A

68

Song

a

Flower-Seller

The

78
.

Red-Floicer

The
A

Song of Princess

Distaste
The

Fragrant

The
A

Old

The

85
.

88

Tree
.

90

Snoic
.

Temple

Wanderer

s

93

the Mountains

among

Farewell

Soldier's

83

Tze- Yuh

Life
for Official

Song of the

A

80

Pear-Tree

to his

94

Wife

96

Return
.

Listeningto
on
Reflections

A

of a Simple Life with

Pleasures

The

The

Playing

the Past

returning to

Lady
Autumn

a

Country Life

Old

a

Boat

100

103

107

109
.

the Frontier

of a Wife

Value

110

115

117

Lo-Fu
in the Garden

Evening

122
124

Muh-Lan
The

in

98

105

Brevity of Life

Estimating the

An

Lute

....

Conscriptsleavingfor

The

a

on

Flower

Lowly

On

the

Nature

130

Fisherman
.

9

CONTENTS

PAGE

Midnight

in

Garden

the

Reflections

the

on

Brevity

of Life

134

Flowers

So-fei gathering
A

132
....

136
....

Farewell

The

137

Lake

Khicun-ming

139
....

Reflections

141
......

Pride

and

143

Humility

Dwellers

in

The

Five

Sons

The

Journey

The

Gallant

The

Lady

the

Peach

Stream

145

Valley

149

151

Back

Captain

a?id

the

Innkeeper's

Wife

153
158

Chao-Chiun
....

Night
The

on

the

162

Lake

Fisherman'

s

164

Song
....

The

Students

166

Ramble
....

The

Priest

of

T'ien

169

Momitain
.

Maidens

by

the

170

River-side
....

The

Poet-Beggar

172

FEW

A

THE

HISTORY

The

the

of

'

Chinese

handed

book

in

described,

But

China

Ancient

Shi-King
Some

thousand

and

odes
men

of

included

in

other

were

criticism

deemed

number

make

impossible
that

the

and

rejection by

literary compilers, especially Confucius,
the

which

in

several

which

that

and

music

to

by princes, chiefs, and

;

correctly

more

literature.

Chinese

petty States

numerous

poetical

odd

set

those

that

think

hundred

occasions.

than
of

lation,
trans-

known.

being

public

whose

Legge

they might

them

dawn

composed

were

later

the

at

Dr.

Catholic

Roman

by

three

as

odes

scholars

native

of

most

more

many

existed

odes,

or

Translations

Poetry.

is better

contains

official and

on

sung

of

by

English,

Shi-King

compositions,

the

later

and

being

be

Book

served
pre-

contained

posterity are

to

first made

were

missionaries,

The

down

been

have*

which

poems

Shi-King ',or

this

POETRY

CHINESE

earliest
and

ON

CONSTRUCTION

AND

OF

in

REMARKS

up

the

to say

early period

Shi-King.

how
;

many

of

worthy

many
more

approval

It is, however,

odes

were

than

to

305,

quite

composed
those

duced
re-

in

preserved

CONSTEUCTION

later scholars

only regret that,when

to prune

such

with

of poetry

As

to

the

widely.

By

of these

value

early

Western

some

poems,

"c., while

do

rise

above

of the

odes

not

Some

other

the

the

and

are

who

they

have

Homeric

the

Psalms,

been

think

that

they

primitive simplicity.
undoubtedly of considerable
all critics must
acknowledge

the

most

of valuable

great deal

a

respectingthe

people

critics differ

odes

writers

poeticalvalue ; and
that the Shi-King contains
information

Shi-King

numerous.

writers

compared favourablywith

tree

Fragments

in the

few

a

them

induced

hands.

unsparing

early odes not contained
remain, but such fragments are not
of

of their

of the nascent

branches

whole

lop off

or

can

to collect

began

motives

other

and
political

ancestors,

we

poeticaleffusions

earliest

criticize these

and

and

made,

Shi-King undoubtedly were

the

in

11

POETKY

CHINESE

OF

States

of Ancient

them

inhabited

in

China,

the

earliest

stages of their existence.
been

It has

the

because

Shi-King

eyes

of students

from

their

hundreds

which

different
two
are

vision

or

it has

described

the
of

vast

their

as

to

years,

and

musings

exclude

poets have,

mused,

and

the

poetry in

field of Chinese
Chinese

of

account

largelyin

so

literature

famous

thousand
and

loomed

of Chinese

periods,wandered,
three

give this brief

to

necessary

their

sung

and

sung,

at

for

wanderings

in thousands

of

which

poems

Chinese
a

few

have
have

China, who
done

They

immortal

three thousand

but

it ;

in

long

work

and

years,

they

great poets of
appeared and

succession

during nearly

passed away

but little or

know

nothing

My

correct

Shi-King, but by bringing
poets and

a

of

few

their

inadequatelyset

very

is not

who

writer

of the

Shi-King,

objectin publishingthis little book is to
this false perspective,not
by assailingthe

at all.

be

of the

heard

have

of

foreign students

to

read
a

AND

HISTORY

unknown

are

literature.

even

THE

ON

REMARKS

12

a

into

view

(which

poems
in

forth

of the

few

a

only

can

by

translations

poet),and thus make

a

a

beginning

undertaking that will be, I hope, continued and
leisure and greater
who
have more
perfectedby men
poetical skill and inspirationthan I possess.
After the compilation of the 300 odes by Confucius,
in

an

there

was

which
of

a

period of

about

little attention

but

one

hundred

was

given

during

years
to

the

making

poetry. The earliest poeticalcompositions handed

down

after those

by Kiih-Yuen,

'Li-Sao'
several
poems

poems

by

during

preserved in the Shi-King

by

unknown

the

Han

of the

Su-Wu

and

Tsu

writers. All these

Dynasty

or

State, 280

Li-ling,and
were

earlier,and

the

are

b.c,

nineteen

composed

they

are

regarded as poeticalcompositions of great worth by
native scholars,
although they do not conform to the
have guided Chinese
rules which
poets in writing

CONSTRUCTION

OF

POETRY

CHINESE

poetry since the T'ang Dynasty.
has
seamless
the

of heaven

robe

These

sky.

marked

Indeed,

one

perfection

',i.e. the

mentator
com'

as

the

of heaven

dome

"

early poetical compositions

are

by greater simplicityof language, deeper

feeling,and
later

their

described

18

is often

dynasties,which

elaborate

than

naturalness

more

technique

cramped by

introduced

the

highly

poets of the

the

by

poetry of

the

T'ang Dynasty.
'The
'

The

'A

Back,' 'Only

Journey
Swallow's

Wu's

Tze-Yuh,'

of

Song

Song,'

Farewell
of

Brevity

the

During
reign

Life,'are
later

of Kien-An

The

Innkeeper's Wife,'

Maiden's

'A

Wife,'

his

to

'

'

specimens
Han

Fragrant Spray,'

a

Reflections

of this

of the

in

Wei

odes

the

and

favourablywith

the

From
on

through

ancient
Wei

the

Luh-Chao

to the
'

gained
but

the

an

a.d.

220

ascendancy

to

and

deep

and

and

their

and

T'sin

Chen,

587),one
each

natural.

of

positions
com-

the three hundred
odes.

Dynasty,

(SixDynasties

the

covering

and

Wu,
the

poet after another

found

poetry of this period is

florid than

the

reign

"

Tsing, Sung, T'si, Liang,
period from

the

following the

poems

Dynasty
'

period.

Dynasty, several

poets of conspicuous abilityarose,
compare

the

on

Dynasty, especiallyin

(a.d. 196), and

Hwang-T'su (a.d. 220)

Reverie,' 'Su

more

many

imitators;

elaborate

and

REMARKS

14

From

AND

HISTORY

Sui

produced

literarydecadence

which

it was,

;

T'ang School

of

Poetry,and

that school

has been

all writers

of

poetry

One

poetry

so

was

native

of the

Shi-King

may

poems

of Su-Wu

and
those

root, and

and

leaves

and

leaves

flowers

;

became
fruit

and

of

poetry should

the

source

and

The

three
as

the

the

ment
developodes

hundred
the

root

;

He

then

period

sprout into

goes

the

first sprout from

Kien-An

and

Age

as

stem,

a

the

while

the first branches
the branches

abundant,

more

appeared crowning the noble

perfectpoetry.'
the

likened

duction
pro-

Golden

the

as

the

that that

abundant

T'ang Dynasty

more

of

styleof

Dynasty the

Dynastiesare

in the

then

during

and

;

regarded
the

the

formed

who

has

Li-lingas
of

Six

of the

be

of the

increasinggrowth
poems

'

:

change

a

closelycopied by

day

the Chinese

tree

a

less

rich and

commentator

of poetry to

and

this

Then

of the T ang

period is regarded by
of Poetry.

the

to

flourishing
years
of

the

or

into the

even

poeticaltechnique of

the

more

but

was

fact,a time

in

continued

beginning of the T ang Dynasty.
took
place, and great poets arose

most

the end

Dynasty (a.d.557-587) to
Dynasty (a.d. 589-618) there

little good poetry
of

THE

the Chen

the

of

ON

to say

on

carefully
study the

'

:

and
tree

Students

matter, and

form,

poetry of this period,as they show

development, the

root

and

the

full-

be

of

flourishingtree

grown

lost

of in

sight

the

leaves, that is,students

poetry. The

root

profusion of

branches

both

be studied

must

togetherin

t

no

and
of

poems
times

of ancient

;

to understand

order

poetry of the later periods.'

the

T'ang Dynasty developed
from

poetry different

leading poets
all that

and

not

The

their

their

preceded

poetry and
is

a

The

it.'

embody

natural

in

own

seize
it in

development

imitation.
the

prominent among
this great change were

most

effected

poets of the

T'ang period had abilityto
which

own

slavish

a

that

in ancient

best

was

styleof

of the

:

style of

a

those

The

'

critic writes

native

Another

a

must

the

read

not

must

T'ang periodand neglect those

the

16

POETRY

CHINESE

OF

CONSTRUCTION

of

men

Chen

genius who

Tze-ang,Chang

Kiu-ling, Li-Peh, Wei Ying-wuh, Liu Tsong-Yuen,
Tu-Fu, Han-Yli, Tsen-T'san,Wang- Wei, Wang-Han,
Li-Kiao, and

Chang-Shoh

regarded by all Chinese

and

;
a

as

heaven-born

earth,' while

'an

Immortal

the

versed
scholarlypoet, deepl}''

Chinese
and

banished

which
literature,

style,and

infinite

which,
form
of his
The

to

but

a

of these

in

however,

his

though

part of his contributions

"

Tu

Fu

of the

T'ang poetry

is

of

breadth,

positions,
poetical com-

very
to the

numerous,

literature

country.

glory

is

genius

all branches

gives depth, and
variety to

Li-Peh

dimmed

somewhat

towards

THE

ON

REMARKS

16

of the

the end

HISTORY

AND

but

during

dynasty

;

the

Song

the brief
followed
Dynasty (a.d.960-1278), which
epoch of the Five Djrnasties(a.d.907-960),Eo Yang
Sill,Wang-An-shih, Hwang Ting-kien,Ch'ao Pu-chi,

Luh-Yu,
of

glory

fresh

poets added

other

and

poems

three

or

only

It should
the

and

few

of such

againstall
An

best poems

extensively its
the

period,and

such

review
readers
means

would
a

to

rise and

for two

space

*

great poets of
follow

always

T'ang Dynasty.
in the ancient

ancient

style against

'

translations,but

the

not

field of
in the

see

the whole

of the

volume
for

work.

of Chinese

only the beginning
"

the

style of

review

exhaustive

an

But

hundred

poetry

source

volumes

several

"

the

of

a

very

they

brief

will enable

odes
;

each

of each

work

preceding pages

the three

that

the

progress,

hardly suffice

vast

poetry, reviewing

Chinese

large

a

contained
to

best

written

characteristics

fill

poet, would
of

all the

of them.

introduction

indeed

are

among

poems

not

of the

written

I have

style;
a

dynastiesdid

later

of their

Many

the

that

poeticaltechnique

new

many

be found.
remembered

be

book

but in this small

can

and

T'ang

the

;

the

omitted

be

not
could
poeticalcompositions which
from
a
large anthology containing

Chinese

to

by producing

literature

Chinese

lustre

are

are,

by

no

indeed,

great river whose

THE

OF

TECHNIQUE

CHINESE

POETRY

Ping
A.

T'-character

of

Form
tone

beginning

Ping

ping

tseh

tseh

tseh

ping

ping

Tseli

tseh

ping

ping

tseh

tseh

ping

Tseh

tseh

ping ping ping

tseh

tseh

Ping

ping

tseh

tseh

tseh

Ping ping

tseh

tseh

ping ping

tseh

Tseh

tseh

ping ping

tseh

tseh

ping

Tseh

tseh

ping ping ping

tseh

tseh

of

Form

B.

poem

in

the

:

Ping ping

Tseh

Liih

tone

tseh

7-character

tseh

Llih

tseh

poem

ping ping

ping ping.
beginning

:

Tseh

tseh

ping ping

tseh

tseh

ping

ping ping

Ping ping

tseh

tseh

tseh

Ping ping

tseh

tseh

ping ping

tseh

Tseh

tseh

ping

ping

tseh

tseh

ping

Tseh

tseh

ping

ping

ping

tseh

tseh

Ping ping

tseh

tseh

tseh

ping

ping

Ping

ping

tseh

tseh

ping ping

Tseh

tseh

ping ping

tseh

tseh

tseh

ping.

in

the

OF

TECHNIQUE
Form

Ping

CHINESE

Liih poem

of S-character

tone

C.

tseh

Tseh

tseh

tseh

ping ping

Tseh

tseh

ping ping

tseh

tseh tseh

ping

in

tlie

ping

tseh

tseh

Tseh

tseh

tseh

Tseh

tseh

ping ping

Ping ping

tone

ping ping

Liih

tseh

ping.

tseh

tseh

of 5 -character

beginning in

poem

the

:

Tseh

D.

beginning

Ping ping tseh

Ping ping ping

Tseh

19

:

Ping ping

Form

POETRY

tseh

ping ping

tseh

Ping ping tseh
Ping ping ping

tseh

ping

tseh

tseh

Tseh

tseh

tseh

Tseh

tseh

ping ping

ping ping
tseh

Ping ping tseh tseh ping
Ping ping ping tseh tseh
Tseh tseh tseh ping ping.
In

order

to

characters,it should
characters

sounds, but
Of

these

are

this

understand
be borne

in

arrangement
mind

distinguishednot onlyby

also

only

by

tones

four

are

that Chinese
the

phonetic

resembling musical notes.
generallyrecognized in

poeticalcompositions:
(1) The

Ping-sheng,or
B

of

low
2

and

even

note.

POETRY

CHINESE

OF

TECHNIQUE

20

(2) The Shang-sheng,or sharpand ascending note.
clear and

(3) The Khii-sheng,or
(4) The
Ruh-sheng,

note.
far-reaching
straight and abruptly

or

finished note.
These

the

help

tones

For instance,the word
li

'

'

li

'

'

li

'

'

li

'

'

In

but

phonetic sound

same

written

which

words
distinguish

to

different

have

meanings.

"

(Ping-sheng)
(Shang-sheng)
(Khii-sheng)
(Ruh-sheng)

village.
sharp.

=

=

strength.

=

of

each

Chinese

black.

=

these

words

tinguish
is dis-

by a different character,and the tone is,
therefore,of secondaryimportance; but occasionally
tones
character has two
a
a
ping and a khii,for
"

instance,and then each
of
a

the
meaning, or distinguishes
substantive
in

But
as

indicates

tone

well

from

its

poetry these

as

this purpose

to

express

they are

use

tones

verb.

are

used

to make

as

rhythm

meaning, and when used for
divided into ping and tseh,the

ping representingthe ping
the tseh the other

difference

of the word

use

a

as

a

three

or

low,

even

tone, and

tones, Shang, Khti,and Ruh.

will enable the reader,I think,
explanation
the
is regarded by Chinese
as
to perceivewhat
In the diagrams given above, the
rhythm of a poem.
first line consists of two
ping tones, followed by
followed
three tseh tones, which
by two ping
are

This

brief

TECHNIQUE
tones

line in terms

Chinese
that

of

poetry. When
are

to, or

harmonize

varied

that

couplet

for

ping

"

in

third

the

tseh,or

and

the

poems

must

not

should

be

used

substituted
be

it must
And

it.
a

changed

be

for

when

the

vice

tseh, and
The

',or

regarded as

the

The

Ping

'

beginning

;

and

line,

;

for

ping

in

when

the

five-character
the

ping

of the

be

not

may

should

tone

be

used

be substituted

not
tone

but

in seven-character

the tseh

of four

poem
unit

are

poems

of Chinese

first specimen shows
tone

of the first.

for

first line is

following must

versa.

followingtwo
Tsiieh

the

"

tones

of the line

tone

exactly

tseh

;

opening

excepting

line, may

used, the ping may

ping, the opening

be

when

it,and

trast
con-

of all the

agree

be used, the tseh

it must

in

five-character

fourth

and

second

of

seen

seven-character

a

second,fourth, and sixth characters
poems,

be

are

agree,

always

a

rhythm

tones

should

in

in each

lines,"c.

lines,the

In the other

the first and

and

with, other

fifth characters

third,and

21

it will

couplets which

or

last lines which

for tone.

the

compared,

necessary
each

in

the first and

be

lines

it is not

characters

tone

tseh forms

and

ping

there

But

POETRY

arrangement of the characters

the

and

;

CHINESE

OF

the

in the Tseh

'

a

second
tone

:

perfectspecimens
lines, which

may

of
be

poeticalcomposition.

tslleh

'

beginning in

specimen

a

'

the

tsiieh

'

22

OF

TECHNIQUE

(1)

p.

p.

ts.

ts.

Ch'un

fung

tseh

ye

ts.

ts.

kwoli

Ku
ts.

ts.

Shao

(2)

fu

p.

yen

hwa

p.

puh

chi

kwei

ts.

chao

ying shang

ts.

p.

Wu

p.

ts.

ren

puh

ch'en

p.
Hstien

ts.

p.
tu

kwan

shi

liu

lang

stated

above

be

characters,may

fu

shan.

p.

is

ts.

hwei
ts.

p.

ts'ien shu

the

p.

'

tsai

tsiieh

composed

regarded

lai
p.

hwa

heo

ku

p.

mien

ts. ts.

Tsin

line

wang

p.

li tao

p.

the

p.

ts. p.

ts.

whether

p.

fuh

k'un

ts.

I have

ts.

ts.

tao

teh

ts.

p.

ts.

ts.

wei

ts.

hong

i tsan

ts.

Chao

p.

ts. p.

siang

p.

p.

Yii Kwan

ts.

p.

meh

ts.

tao

p.

Tze

As

p.

ts.

p.

ts.

POETRY

CHINESE

as

of
the

'

of four

five

or

seven

of Chinese

unit

poeticalcomposition. In order to make a llih
four more
lines,composed exactlyaccording
'

of

ping-tseh arrangement
added

to the tsiieh ; while

by continuing
Besides

the

'

a

this process

ping

and

tones

tseh

in

lines,

the

'

poem
to

the

tsiieh,are

'

j)'ai-luhpoem

is made

beyond eight lines.
arrangement of

tones

in

line

each

metre

tsiieh may

with

rhyme

controlled

also

instance, in the

the

by

lines

sounds

rhyme

that all three
is the

rule

Chinese

in
words

rules

Dynasty

;

but

tseh

all

periods have

modern

tones

in

"

in

;

poets of

and

often

in the

art

and

The

dynasties,however, has
elaborate technique of the modem

compositionis too

dency
ten-

been

poetry, and consequentlymere

cleverness

to

school

of

poetical

highly prizedthan

more

ping

systems" ancient

great skill

the

T'ang
in

both

poeticalcompositions.

poetry in which

for

technique of

according to

rhymes

both

used

their

for

this

and

ping tone,

recent

the

follow

used

were

observed

be

poetry, words

in ancient

these

poets of the

the

by

For

shan, and

in the

followed

introduced

and

of

the

belong to

generally

rhymes

first,second, and

it will

but

;

poetry, that is,poetry made

modern
new

ts'an, and

kwan,

are

but these

perfecttsiieh given

a

of the

above, the final characters
fourth

;

ping-tseh tones.

of

specimen

final

the

fourth lines of the

other

each

23

rhythm,

or

of the first,
second, and

characters

are

the

form

to

POETRY

CHINESE

OF

TECHNIQUE

true

is mistaken

genius.

These

few

tones

in the

must

not

summary
than

be

remarks

on

rhythm

and

regarded by

of the

the

rhyme
readers

system, which

it seems,

owing

use

to

of the

of Chinese
as

an

is much
many

ping-tseh
poetry

exhaustive
more

cate
intri-

qualifyingrules

OF

TECHNIQUE

24

conditions

and
other

POETRY

to its applicationin relation

as

factors

CHINESE

required

form

to

suffice to

composition ; they will,however,
general conception of
and

tseh tones

the

in the

especially in
of the

remarked
a

modern

elaborate

instructions

line in relation

or

stanza

same

that

would

literarystandard,
But

poetry.

it must

Western

poet is just

confrerewith

epigram, climax, and
are

in

common

people ;
the

and

the skilful

and

ear,

be
and

critic of

forgotten that

the

familiar

his

as

as

figuresof speech which

and

poetry of

of these

in

literary

a

with

rigid ping-tseh rules concerning rhythm

and

is

a

task

conscientious

a

can

poem

metaphor, simile, allegory,

all other
prose

a

harmony

rhyme
did

the

the

most

character

Chinese

be

not

form

to

lines in the

eye

modern

the

and

before

satisfythe

of the

scholarly Chinese

of each

use

characters

be mastered

But

I have

as

and
pai-liih',

'

to the

as

are,

required

factors

to other

must

constructed

there

Llih', or

'

a

poetry,

indispensableto

are

poem,

above, other

or
perfect'tsiieh',

of Chinese

poetical compositions.

although the ping-tsehtones
rhythm

give

part played by the ping

technique

modern

poetical

correct

a

to the

not

few

adhere
modern

of

poet.
very

use

considerable

Fortunately the

ancient

rigidly to technique;

poets have

imitated

difficultyfor

the

in

ancient

many

and

of their

style.

Besides

the

poets
not
positions
com-

the

TECHNIQUE

26

It should
made

book,

translations
Chinese

each

therefore

line

cases,

be

translation

the

Chinese

violence

to

the

of the

syllable
only,

but

as

articles,

many

the

five

meaning
or

be

to

connect

a

line

of the

English

of

of

Chinese

make
a

which

form

that, in

most

line

into

grammar

complete.

Some

doing

in

much

in most

in Chinese

correctly and

more

eight,ten,
reader

the

must

English

original,but

far

the

meaning

translation

rendered

are

in

originalChinese.

parts of speech which
to

the

monosyllabic line

seven

accuratelyby
the

inserted

must

syllableswithout

seven

or

into

meaning

In

seven-character

a

in the

line

be

might

is translated

English

the

poetry contains

it is obvious

in the

that

than

poems

because

restrict

monosyllabic words
poetry,

length

lines of five

in order

seven

or

of Chinese

longer

cases,

Chinese,

in the

five

line

this

words.

one

of

and
;

to

in

in

poems

of

line

five-character

understood

a

above

auxiliaryverbs,"c.,which
prepositions,

pronouns,

of the

outlined

seven

word

a

monosyllabic words

seven

English

is

and

monosyllabic words,

five

only

character

a

has

Chinese

five

been

attempt

impossible

of

lines

to

of

be

would

it

as

no

technique

translations

English

the

the

reproduce

to

that

observed

be

POETRY

CHINESE

OF

or

more

mentally
must

be
correct

syllables,
inserts
written
and

necting
con-

in
the

NOTES

BIOGKAPHICAL
OF

POETS

CHINESE
Peh.

Li

Peh

Li

T'ang
he

is

Peh

(Tai

from

regarded

the

as

699

d.

a.

and

762,

to

of

brilliant

most

the

during

lived

Lien)

Tsing

;

probably

Dynasty,

EMINENT

MORE

THE

OF

FEW

A

all

Chinese

poets.
He

with
but

the
born

was

included

in

"When

but

ten

branches

his

ability

introduced

When

chang,
of the

too,

he

Emperor's

was

the

chief

the

Empire

now

in

concubine,

he

For
the

the
had

He

Chiis

"

earth.'

incurred

land.

Ho
'

:

by

the

the

Chang-an,

favoured

he

as

attracted

exclaimed
to

with

and,

literature,

at

banished

having

familiar

was

highest

Court

greatly
but,

Dynasty,

T'ang

genius

and

courtiers,

genii

immortal

of

Peh

Li

of

of

the

to

the

of

one

Hsiien-Tsung,
the

praise

the

part

old

years

of

tion
genera-

Province.

other

and

attention

remote

a

Szechwan

the

older,

grew

time,

in

and

poetry

family

Imperial

ninth

the

in

descent

by

connected

was

a

short

Emperor,
enmity

to

one

withdraw

of

28

BIOGRAPHICAL

from

Court

the

and

NOTES

OF

of official

relinquishall hopes

promotion.
then

He

wine

widely, writing

of

beauties

the

on

travelled

nature,

and

music, to the former

and

poems

many

praise of

in

also

of which

he

too

was

stronglyaddicted.
In

the

involved

he

in

to

allowed

was

distant

a

which

region.

return, and

to

was

governor

a

became

offence

he

in his old age

But

ended

he

peacefullyat T'ang-t'u (a place
Nankin), whose

he

seems,

for
political
intrigues,

banished

was

part of his life,it

later

his

the

near

days

modern

named

kinsman

Li

Yang-ping.
Kiu-ling.

Chang

Chang
official in

Kiu-ling (Tze Sheo)
the

T ang

Dynasty.

then

tze),and

held

Hsiien-Tsung, with

high

a

very

whom

office under

his licentious

an

early age

the courtiers

presented valuable

book

Year
failure

Emperor

ventured

life.

for

his

the

he sometimes

remonstrate

a

At

of

son

paratively
displayed great ability,and while still comtook a high literarydegree (Tsinyoung,

he

on

the

was

Once

giftsto

the

when

Mirror',
in

by

himself

showing

former

'

and
the

styled
causes

dynasties.

His

The

of

all

Emperor

birthday,Chang Kiu-ling presentedhim
written

to

with

Thousand

success

and

advice, however,

EMINENT

seriouslyheeded

not

was

CHINESE

his faithfulness

death
ennobled

It is recorded
when

by

was

29

after

time, but

his

appreciated and he was
canonized
by the Emperor.

writer

one

youth, trained

a

the

at

afterwards

and

POETS

that

pigeons to

Kiu-ling,

Chang

letters to his

carry

friends.
Wei

Ying-wuh

Wei

Ying-wuh.

was

a

high

Cheng-

Yuen

Prefect

of

famous

that

in

even

of the

admiration

native

of

Mei-shan

in

official office to

and

of

in the

capitaland

parts of the
diffused
ruled.

a

another

degraded

was

sent

Empire,

love

of

a.d.

and

was

until

State; but, owing

he
intrigues,

appointed
rule

and

to

from

to fill inferior

where

literature

1036-1101,

Szechwan.

highest literary degrees,

Minister

the

gratitudeand

the

Tong-Po),

the

a

very

Shi.

a

one

was

beneficent

was

from

ranks

people.

(Tze-Chan;

Shi

he

forth

called

Su
Su

his

where

to literature

devotion

during

period. During

reign (a.d. 785-804)
Suchow,

Honan

poeticalskill

his

T'ang Dynasty, and

the

of

native

he

won

advanced
he

became

politicalfeuds
his

high

office

posts in distant

wrote

among

He

poetry
the

and

people

he

BIOGRAPHICAL

30

Tu
Tu

Fu

high

a

official

made

were

bestowed
In

the

Fan-yen,
In

T'ang Dynasty.
he

countrymen

give

to the

known

ranks

him

a

to

next

Li

poeticalgenius

office and

Emperor,

the

T'ang Dynasty,
still higher place.
honours

him.

on

poeticalcomposition known
is the

Fu

Pai-ltih,Tu

character
the

of Tu

son

literaryabilityand

Fu's

were

/

the

critics would
Tu

When

the

was

great poets of the

the

few

a

OF

(a.d. 712-770)

in

of his

among

and

Fu

(Tu Tze-Mei)

estimation
Peh

NOTES

poets of the T ang

Seven-

famous

most

if not

Djmasty,

the

as

of all

of all Chinese

poets.

Eo

Siu

Yang

of the

Siu

Yang

Eo

(Yong-Shuh)

Song Dynasty

both in the

(a.d. 1017-1072).

;

a

was

he filled

and

scholar

famous

high

capitaland provinces, under

official posts

the

Emperor

Ren-Tsong.
Being

of

man

a

with

remonstrated

integrityand
his

occasions, and

sometimes

his

His

courage.

by
followed
he

was

works

the

every
canonized

are

numerous.

Imperial

master

suffered

temporary
"Wen

and

he

several

on

temporarily for

character, however,

Emperor,

as

independence

restoration

eclipse. After
Chong Kong.

was

preciate
ap-

to

favour

his

death

His

literary

Wu

Su

"When
he

sent

on

seized

was

mission

a

this he

do

to

the

tend

in his

loyalty to

the

hung
He

not

into

His

up

ordered

to

years

he

Hsiung-nu

a

the

Koh

refusing

on

he

region

compelled to
he persisted

but

On

old

Emperor,

renounce

desert

was

;

Hsiung-nu

Afterwards

Dynasty.

the

Dynasty.
to

and

;

prison.

Khi-lin

as

Han
of the

Emperor

Han

by

in the

up

is held

writers.

and

c).

tke

grey-headed

a

greatly honoured
was

Khan

many

flocks of the

China, when

to

to the

Balkash, where

Lake

around

in

Han

cast

was

B.

lived

ruler

the

for

banished

was

that

by

allegianceto

his

(200-100

(Tze K'ing)

Wu

Su

31

POETS

CHINESE

EMINENT

his

he

man,

and

return

his

was

portrait

(CouncilChamber).

pattern of loyaltyby Chinese
ancient

poeticalcompositions are

but

numerous.

Li

Li

Ling

Ling

was

(First Century
a

military

B.C.).

of an army
Dynasty. Given command
against the Hsiung-nu he rashly advanced
Han

enemy's country
who

were

hundred

with

surrounded

killed,and

only
and
Li

a

few
all

Ling

in

commander

in the

thousand
but
was

three

the
war

into the

soldiers,
or

captured,

four
and

32

NOTES

the

spent

of

rest

is mentioned

in

life

his

the

POETS

CHINESE

EMINENT

OF

in

His

exile.

Introduction

book

this

to

name

of

translations.
Kwang-hi.

Chu
Chu
He

Kwang-hi
the

passed

Emperor

Hsiien

of the

member

a

a

learned

poet

the

during

the

a

of the

writer
the

Dynasty.

period,said

same

famous

most

that

in the

scholar

Shih,

Wang

Chen

Empire

time.

YuEN-MiNG

Ao

the

Magistrate
only

of

advancing

T'sien
of

renaissance

in

T ang

He
for

did

T
T'ao

the

famous

is most

Tze-ang was
of that

Dynasty.

but
offices,

he

literature

T ang

of the

official

work

by

Tze-ang.

scholar

celebrated

filled various
the

Censorate

Tsong.
Chen

A

and

highest literaryexaminations,

appointed

was

T*ang Dynasty.

of the

soldier

a

was

(T'ao Yuen-ming)

Song
of

short

(a.d. 365-427).

a

district,but

time

he

private life,
spending

writing poetry

and

He

Dynasty.

after

resigned
the

and

scholar

appointed

was

fillingthe

it and

remainder

in musical

a

was

office

retired

of his years

pursuits.

into
in

35

Name

poet

op

'TJH

the

me,

I

And

from

earlier)

or

left

me

hours
we

;

parted
flowers.

leaves and

rich with

branches
its fragrant

plucked a tinyspray,
bosom

hid it in my

In memory

I know
Must
But

you

the tree 'neath which

Was

And

day

full of weary

Was
But

Dynasty

(Han

unknown

of that

distance

the endless

from

shut you

the flower's

day.

my

view,

gentlefragrance

thoughtsof

Bringssweetest
c

2

you.

ONLY

And,

A

though

Which

It

oft

With

it

's

but

a

our

renews

the

trifle,
prize

would

none

all

SPRAY

FKAGRANT

for

parting,
love

and

pain.

gain,

87

i^ ^ptina,
Z^t (Rivet 6g (]flxc^U

^N Springthe
^

Which

The

moon

the

from

the
to

wave

river meets

flooded

across

From

POH-HSU

CHANG

BY

surges

ocean

rollingwater
reach

to

wave

the tide
to the land

;

shines
distant

the

strand.

And

the

when

The

latter turns

While

and

heaving sea
and

in the moon's

floods the

river meet,

fragrantfields ;

pale lightas shimmering

sleet
Alike

For

sky

river in

and

Without
While

sandy shores

seem

a

spot of

in the heavens

In white

and

one

colour

dust to
above

lustrous

and

wealds.

wooded

blend,
the

scene

;

the full-orbed

moon

mar

beauty hangs

serene.

THE

38

And

and

men

still the river

And

will their

And

who

But

Upon

was

and

moon

A

yonder

In

boat

some

the

moon

Beneath
with

And

peep

and

gazed

river first behold

night?

across

the

bank,
azure

links

it

seems

his

thoughts

long,

to hover

through chinks

within

her chamber

blind ;
The

moon-borne

message

Alas, the husband

;

to-night

traveller sails
which

dome

home.

the home

Above

drifts

cloud

white

here

the river's

maples sigh upon

The

for ay.

heavenly light?

in the

solitarywatcher

The

fair,

shines

moon

first stood
the

;

pass away

surelyrun

courses

he who

did

fleeting
years,

and

flows,the

the river and

when

And

the

into this world

born

Are

as

women,

SPRING

IN

NIGHT

BY

RIVER

she cannot

tarries far behind

escape,
!

THE

She

KIVER

looks

Until
And

BY

the

across

IN

gulfbut

hears

her heart with

fain

would

SPEING

NIGHT

39

voice,

no

longingleapsapace,

she

the

silverymoonbeams

follow
Until

'

she
night,'

Last
'

they shine

of

I dreamt

My Spring,ah

her loved

upon

murmured

one's face.

sadly to herself,

flowers by shady ponds;
falling
! half

me

through its course

has

sped,
But

For

you

Spring,half

The
While

on

The

Has
While

gone,

the river and

the

mighty

is

the silent

bonds.'

stream

glidmg

descendingto

moon

disappearedbeneath
stretch

wedded

the

waters

pools
the west.

the verge

the sea-borne
of

;

to its rest ;

fall obliquely
from

moonbeams

now

to your

flows the

onward

ever

And

not

return

the

'

Siao

dew
and

Siang ',^
And

rocks

and

in never-endingview.
cliffs,

;

How
Have

on

the

Thoughts

:

Two

shore

old

streams

pale

whom

moon

so

long

"

throbbing

'

SPRING

to-night's
from

those

with

met

apart
As

by

wanderers

many

IN

NIGHT

BY

RIVER

THE

40

midst

and

heart

flowing

flowerless

new

trees

surge

I

through

!

into

the

Yangtze

River.

stand

my

42

T'siN Dynasty,

a.d.

265-419

jJ'HEplum-tree'sflower
Thoughts

And

But

The
While
How

I'll wear
And

distant

flowers

region

might

reach,

never

if I go in person,

great the joy to

I'llbrush
More

a

blossoms

to far Si-chow.

send

such

lover now,

pluck some

I would

And

of my

awakens

my

each !

glossytresses,

dark

than

raven's

my

plum

silk

banish

tears and

plume

mantle.

gloom.

;

where, alack, is Si-chow

But

Oh,

North,

in the

Far

Ah

me,

the

Si-chow
The

an

Beneath

The

But

I'll go
And

the
to

come

hair

porch-way ;
!

me

adorning

glisteningwith

the dew
"

keeps him

from

is

my

meet

gather lilies,
him

view

blowing,

night is brightas day
and

;

lover tarries ;

gentlebreeze
The

turning,

to-day.

outside

love may

still my

What

;

evening vigil

jewels my

Are

setting.

the cedar-tree

stands

My

start

;

the river

homeward

are

I cannot

I'll keep

is

sun

?

to go !

way

is far away

birds

That

I know

I've crossed

when

I'llask which

A

43

REVERIE

MAIDEN'S

A

on

the way.

;

?

44

REVERIE

MAIDEN'S

A

early Autumn

In the

lotus lilies red

The

pool growing,

in the south

Are

reach

And

above

As

put

shimmering

the

of

Pressed

And

love

head

my

wild

they

Oh,

"

of betrothal

yet my

The

closely

place,I wot,

For tokens

Above

lover,

true

bosom

to my

safer

And

a

blood,

as

love is at the flood.

When

No

is red

core

the heart

As

reeds.

bosom,

in my

some

For

greenness

'mongst the

water

musing,

seeds,

stoop to pluck some

In their

I

head.

my

old times

My thoughts on
I

season

geese

;

comes

not !

in batches
northward

hie,

will pass o'er Si-chow

would

that I could

fly!

!

the northern

I'll mount

Perhaps
I'llsee

my

Although

where

lover

coming,

love is

Once

a

Ah,

vast

curtain,

lamp's pale light;
the

in the

wander

How

pathway,
night.
!

the heavens
the

heaving

sea

life is sad and

dreary

love

not

When

"

the turret,

miss

loftyare

!

seem

dream.

my

love may

How

do

I'll raise the

show

And

"

the hours

weary

more

And

Star.

evening

until the

long

in

As

dwelling.

the Northern

paced around

I've

My

afar

see

morn

How

lofty,

is

the tower

Beneath

From

light.

of the

my

;

loftyheight

that

I cannot

To

turret

from

herald

The

45

REVERIE

MAIDEN'S

A

comes

to

!

me

1

46

MAIDEN'S

A

though

But

I

trust

Our

hearts

in

Until

sweet

the

is

weary,

vow

;

knows

wind

though

And

And

lover's

my

will

And

heart

my

south

The

KEVERIE

them

bear

the

seas

are

one

longings

my
to

Si-chow.

divide

for

dreams

will

meeting

day.

us

ay,

mingle

47

^ong of i^ QUrttc^ee

SL

TAI-PEH

LI

BY

Dynasty

T'ang

-Tj^HETien-shan peaks stillglisten
of

In robes
To

songs

But

voice of

No

the

Save
I

At

flowers

no

'

the

mom

The

Each

sound
man,

Across

in

dreary,

Spring I hear,
Song',i g^ eerie,

Willow

play upon

around.

and

ground is bare

The

;

Spring I listen,

of

see

spotlesswhite

my

flute.

fightwill
of

follow

bugle call ;

sleep,the hollow

his saddle

clasps.

^

48

His

is

sword

he

which

With
The

On

his side

by

And

They

bows

wind,

deriding,

tautened
of

tightly.
shafts.

danger lightly,

riven
by lightning

clouds

They

Their

the

charge the haughty foe.

Their ranks

The

risks

are

face the

rocks

Then

slay.

to

quiversfull

And

As

^

trusted

the river Wei.

cross

Their

As

long has

fleeter than

All fears and

They

closelylaid,

chargersriding,

noble

Their

imrusted,

tyrant foe

And

MARCHES

THE

OF

SONG

A

on

are

rent

by tempest

break

the

weary

swords

Their bows

and

apart ;
driven

flee away.

sand, blood-streaming.
victors
with
dark

sleep.

hoar-frost
shadows

gleaming,
cast,

50

'

(maib
LUH-KI

BY

shines
pKSjBIGHTLY

^^

down

the

the north-west

comes

Flowing

From

Quickly waves

she

When
Far

across

sees

the

With

hand

her beauteous

'

Herd-Boy ',
'

Maid

shapely,
face,

glittering
space.
out towards

each other

impulsivefeet they stand

with

'.

her faithful lover

the

stretched

Arms

white

a

Sadly smiles

On

Heavenly glade;

the south-east looks the

From

Eyes

Starry River

the

sorrow's

tears

the Star-Stream's

bedewed

;
"

shiningstrand.

"

THE

COWHERD

AND

THE

SPINNING-MAID

51

River
But, alas,that bridgeless
Is the

of all their

cause

Dooming

'

Spinning-Maid

'

Nevermore

*

According

(Cowherd)
doomed
of Stars

to

a

Chinese

Chih-Nti

'

lovers

(See note

'

Herd-Boy

the

legend

stars

(Spinning-Maid)are
live

(MilkyWay).
two

and

can

to 'The

oppositesides

on

there is

As

only stand
Swallow's

D

'

again.

to meet

by the gods to

river,the
other.

and

pain.

2

no

K'ien-Niu
two

of the

bridge over

afar and

Song'.)

lovers,
'

River
this

gaze at each

52

An

WAS

3

Poet

:

distant

unknown

friends

I left my

jfifteen when

but

For

Poem

Ancient

climes

Country's

fightour

to

foe,
And

I'm

now

To

Where
Yet

Long

eighty
"

I left

the home

see

is the house

possiblyI
years

?

may

abroad

for the first time

back

long

so

I should
have

have

ago.

be

it now,

near

astray ;

gone

blurred

youthful

the

brain,
I'llask this

'The

house

to

countryman

is

yonder

"

point the

way.

those

midst

grassy

mounds,
Beneath
And

there

Of former

the shade

of fir and

lie buried

all the kith and

tillers of these

cypress

fallow

trees.
kin

leas.'

THE

The

found

A

And

wandered

it overgrown

and

hare

startled

fled

the

by

The

old

mallows
As

when

But

hole,

kennel's
beams

his

and

ornate.

grief,
grain

some

when

days

the

the

around

from

the

in

ceiling

;

from

wild.

patches
And

from

plucked

man

house,

the

desolate

the

journey

53

to

through

flew

pheasants

Exhausted

RETURN

and

sighed

veteran

And

SOLDIER'S

OLD

but

a

fare

homely

well.

courtyard
little

child.

was

cooked

and

spread.
And
He

rose,

While

not

a

and
tears

furrowed

friend

to

going

out

flowed
face.

the

cheer
to

lonely

eastward
down

place,

gazed.
his

worn

and

54

t^t "ah

On

CH'ANG

BY

^CERE
"-V

boat

rides

idly on

the current's

trail,

seems

to chase

in the

The

rarer

forms

its

the

added

heralds

beauty

from

stillflush

rose

the

sun

to grow;

seem

the

on

a

floating
sombre

tints in the darkness
has

ranges

afterglow.

in cloudland
take

evening

mountain

gladesand

jadestonegreen

Although

reflected sail.

own

lightthat

gracefulminarets

From

of the sunset

of all things clearer

forests and

Catch

But

Western

of

lengtheningradiance

While

The

the

foothills

in the

And

The

the

at

(Ancient Style)

Mountains

My

It

KIEN.

Dynasty

T'ang

t^t HJt"ttxn

neat

disappearedfrom

hue,

falling,
view.

ON

The

LAKE

NEAR

shadows

brightas

In the distance
Eeveal
While

Tsu's

^

the waters

after showers

abounding

their sombre

the

break.

forests

outlines in the

the farther shore

on

of the lake ;

that float above

rain-clouds

55

the islets

the surface

across

evening mists

Are

MOUNTAINS

of the islands and

Stretch far
The

WESTERN

gloom

;

gates of King-

chow
Within

The

the

darkness

growing

faintlyloom.

atmosphere with nightfall
groweth clearer,

A

north

wind

blows

with

shrill voice

through

the land ;

While

the

on

The

The

swan

waters

sandy

stretches

and

stork in

now

have

by

dreamy

ceased

the waters
silence stand.

from

restless

heaving,

My
The
A

little boat is screened

moon

soft

emerging
lightsheds

by

rushes

green

from

the lake's horizon

upon

the silent

scene.

;

ON

56

the

Amid

I touch

And

lute

my

the

soon

the

and

silence

MOUNTAINS

WESTERN

NEAR

LAKE

to

ghostly beauty

plaintive

pleasant

of

songs

strains

and

old,

long-drawn

cadence
seized

Have

such

in

Thus

But

the

now

Recalls

Ah

me

Where

dew

the

's but

body

a

ever-moving

light

shade

and

subtle

hold.

quickly,

pass

undetected

speed

;

falling

me

upon

to

senses

my

the

with

comes

heavy

! my

Upon

hours

ecstasy the

midnight

And

their

in

senses

my

body's

need.

fragile vessel
sea

of

life,
fitful

and

joys

and

sorrows

Control

^

The

it included

Kiangsu.

name

in

me

of

Hupeh

a

their

large

feudal
Hunan

and

King-chow

everchanging

on

the

State

in

and

Yangtze

the

parts
was

strife.

Cheu
of
the

Dynasty
Honan

and

capital.

;

THE

58

We

saunter

We're

blithe

wine

With

each

Till
And

then,
We

As

I gaze

dozen

A

the
To

I

the

through

Flows

it

jars

all the

steals

world,

breeze,

a

lie,
*

Silver

to

comes

Stream

mind

least

aster-scented
grace

fly by

splendid sky.

a

at

lark.

homes.

our

couch

my

trees

roams,

with

to

come,

willow

hours

cloudland

overhead

as

the

song

lattice-window

on

While

and

soaring

content

wander

Through

And

in

evening

park,

elm

as

and

and

the

to

'neath

there,

And

Of

is done

work

When

FARMER

HAPPY

to-morrow's

wine

remain
feast.

"

'

59

6g an
^ouae QXntoofeb

Jin Of"

dfclufumn(Bafe
BY

TU

Dynasty

Tang

2J*HE roof
By
It

Yet

my

only

a

save

and

in

hurled,

gusts till caught by the trees,

fallingin ponds

And
And
To

I'm

say
now

before

steal

"

whirled,

and

furrowed

on

great delightthe villageurchins

In

to-day;

quilt.

wadded

the hurricane

tangledtufts,by

Ascending
Or

shelter

away

built

branches

of grass and

the river it scurried

Across

winds

the fiercest of Autumn

merely

blown

has been

house

of my

was

In

FU

old and
my

cannot

run

shout,
about

face the rogues

things,and

then

run

leas.

away

;

begin
and

grin.

AN

60

To

is

home

find my

tongue is stiffand dry;
I

My strengthis gone,
The

And

wintry

bed

My

is

is the fast
and

worn

hard, my

I

which

the

see

everythingis damp

And

What

Oh,

be done

can

there

would

were

million

A hundred

Could

I but

Before

My

house

Could

see

my

and
such

sent.

and

at

comfortless

beneath

high,

of

the

:

distress ?

delight,
bright,

skies.

lasting
peace supplies.

this mansion

eyes

rafters

both fair and

rooms

givethe joy which

And

care.

driftingstormy sky.

mansion

a

shelter all the poor

To

anxious

lightensuch

to

affright.

clothingspare,

through the

rain still drizzles

'Tween

clouds

sigh.

approachingnight;

sleep for pain and

I cannot
The

but rest and

can

but dark

has slackened

wind

back

alack !
shelterless,

parched,my

My lipsare

hobble

off and

them

last I drive

At

UNROOFED

HOUSE

OLD

this,or

rise sublime
any

life to lose I'd be

time

;

content,

great blessing to the world

be

61

of

Z^t Bamtnt of t^t Bairn

JJ^HE

and

orchid

white

clouds

rose

And

strand
But

though

Our

The

'

clouds

Across
And

Lord

'

are

will not

autumns

the Northern

floats

pass

and

fro in

the autumn
a

moonlight falls on

away,

to mortal's

return

the river blows

leas.

fragrantisles,

flytowards

to
drifting

o'er the water

While

the

deck

;

thousand

a

I-SHAN

YUEN

BY

vain.
breeze.

fine,white
stream

land.

and

mist,
wooded

LAMENT

62

OF

the

Upon

OF

LADIES

lofty

'

-

mountain

range

gibbons

the

night

the

Throughout

'

Kiu-e

RIVER

SIANG

wail

and

call,
And

the

from

The

^

tears

River

are

Emperor

long

so

According

to

a

and

this

of

in

retained

legend

Chinese
and

Nu-Ying
Shun,

boughs

voiceless

the

Ngo-Hwang,
poem

bamboos

fall.

dewdrops

Ladies
the

describes

tall

two

their

the

of

wives

lament

Siang
of

the

for

death.

his

-

buried

According
in

the

to

Kiu-i

another
Mountains.

legend

the

Emperor

Shun

was

63

Z^i liJatm oftU (TJlewCpei
BY

Dynasty

T'ang

WO
jj^

FU

TU

led them

love of wonders

friends whose

^

oft
To

Invited

Where

in her

grandeur and
mighty

And

puny

In ceaseless

Through
Will

fluid

our

in

a

day,

voyage

Mei-Pei

side

by

forces alter heaven

strengthand

billows

of the wide

motion

mount

and

!^

is seen,

changefulmoods

in terror

human

countless

of every

scenes

of the dread

the waters

nature

Where

Will

join them

to

me

Across

In

and

leave the haunts

side ;

and

earth,

Ufe deride.

expanse
roll afar ?

pilesof seeming crystalrocks

boat sail

beyond

the

shelteringbar

?

THE

64

Delightfulis

that

the venture

take,

we

yet dire fears will gatherin

And
The

MEI-PEI

THE

OF

WATERS

gavialhuge

The

whales

monster

Fierce

winds

But

overturn

may

the

roll and

flowingsail,
of duck

flocks
through the scattering

And

boat !

our

!

brave friends unloose

our

of prey,

billows

rise and

may

break

in search

come

may

throat,

our

and

tern

The boat

The

pure

Afar

glideson
and

from

the white foam

"

bracingair
towns

where

chant

gay

inflates

in our

our

trail.

lungs
"

dust with

cleanness

vies;
The

boatmen

While

As

sounds

fresh
The

Upon

as

dew

ditties

of lutes rise to the

on

earlymorning

leaves of water-liUes

float

the surface of the water

Through

which

ground.

they work,

as

we

peer

skies.

azure

flowers

around,

clear,

in vain

to

find the

The

of the Rivers

Ruler

And

dragons

Consorts

The

Led

"^

beats his

drum,
to

summons

of the Star-lit

Way.^

pendants of sapphireand jade,

They sing,and dance, midst lightsof
Which

;

gold,

of beaten

instruments

obey

king descend,

of the ancient

with

Adorned

^

the

the Maiden

by

branched

To

haste

MEI-PEI

THE

OF

WATERS

THE

66

flash in

splendour,then

hues,

many

in darkness

fade.

In

ecstasywe
But

For

and

awe

the wondrous

joy are

far off

now

And

watch

we

lowering

scene,

in

mingled

peal,

the thunder

hear

with

clouds

mind.

our

lurid

lightsare

lined.

The

waters

The
The

heave

burdensome

air is full of shadows

Spiritsof

And

with

we

the Universe

cannot

divine

unrest.

of the dead
are

their

;

near,

portentsdread.

THE

is life

such

And

an

"

A

of the

of

vast

67

changing scenes

body

of watex* in

Empire, probably in

"

and

wild

some

brief !

sad and

life

then old age to end

And

'

hour

MEI-PEI

buoyant youth in rapid flight,

of

hour

THE

quicklyfollowinggrief;

Of fitfuljoy and
An

OF

WATERS

remote

; but

the north-west

pari

the exact

is disputed.
locality
^

may
"'

^

The

of two

names

rivers,
of

the clear water

mean

A

deep gorge

A

famous

in the

Pass

near

or

a

the two

deep cove

Chong-nan

combined

words
or

Mountains

inlet.
in Shen-si.

Si-ngan,the provincialcapitalof

Shen-si.
'"

A

fabulous

habitat
"

I

am

Dragon

unable

Ping-i,name

ancestry and
mythological

whose

to trace.

of the Chinese

God

of Waters.

Nli-Yingand Ngo-Hwang, daughters of the Emperor
Yao, and wives of the Emperor Shun (2288 b. c. ?).
^

^

The

Spinning-Maid.

See

Spinning-Maid.

E

2

legend

of

Cowherd

and

68

BY

Of

Wei

the

^J^HE

The

While
The

And

wild

I such

Think
And

sear.

changes.

southward

the North

fly;

in batches

cloud the

swan

sky.

signsdiscerning

of you,

long for

From

and

to hoar-frost

from

drear,

falling,

are

is scant

swallows

And

blowing,

are

air is cool and

grass

dew

(a.d. 220-264)

winds

forest leaves

The

WEN

Dynasty

autumn

The
The

EMPEEOR

husband

your

marches

dear,

home-coming
long and

drear.

THE

Why

SWALLOW'S

do you

In such
Think

The

song

;

coming long.

pure

lightis shining

lonely bed

my

night is

Cowherd

;

-'s westward

far

not

and

the

the doom

meeting

Across

face !

finger,

'Star-Stream'

Lament
The

tear-stained

sigh and falter,

for your

Moon's

The

The

I often

I

soon

Upon
The

lonelyvigils,

try to sing a

And

The

place?

thoughts and

And
But

distant

a

harp

69

longer tarry

of my

Sad

SONG

of true

the Stream

flowing,

sped.

Spinning-Girl

'^

that bars

lovers,
of Stars.

THE

70

What

meet

if

is

In

this

engaged
the

by

in

The

^

K'ien-Niu
the

legend,

Milky

Way,

but

the

of

two

two

frontier,

husband
described

are

the

on

form

the

a

'

wide

the

bridge

Spinning-Girl

meet

doomed

of

Stars

According

to

night
over

to

Kiver

lovers

seventh

according

lovers

are

meet.

never

and,

stars

the
her

(Spinning-Girl)

Chih-Nii

and

stars

however,

legend,

birds

whose

woman,

a

the

beyond

!

great

as

of

thoughts

(Cowherd)

these

across

year,

trial

to

wars

?

Way.

names

other

a

the

fate

a

also

we

the

ponder

poet.

2

are

dire

doomed

poem

SONG

they

so

wonder
Are

'

did

folly
To

I

SWALLOW'S

of
'

to
'

;

one

allowed

are

the

River
lover.

to

i.

the

e.

meet

Month,
Stars

'

Milky
of

version
to

each

at

gaze

Seventh

of

Chinese

a

to

the

once

when

enable

71

(o
;l^auvod(
CHEN

BY

KIA-CHOW

T'ang

A^OLD

Comxait

a

Dynasty

Arctic

gusts from

regions sweep

the

ground,
fly through

countless

snowflakes

And

the

wintry sky,
Covering with spotlessrobe
While

when

a

Shakes
And

genialbreeze

open

allthe

in

decked

Through
Which

with

crevices

and

and

earlySpring

with

radiance

and

keen

in

leafless
a

winds

white.
boughs

singlenight.

slits in bamboo

shield the entrance

Snow-whirls

twigs

on

blossoms
pear-trees'

sombre-lookingtrees

Are

around,

lie.

branches

As

frail

flowers

snow

the earth

blinds.

our

hempen tent.

blow

and chill the

to

blood.
In

spiteof

fiu's and

wadded

garments blent.

72

FAREWELL

Cold

so

The

intense

TO

is felt

General

COMRADE

A

all alike

by

stretch

cannot

"

his

horn-tipped

bow,
In coats of mail

While

Far

the

soldiers

Captainsstiffly
move,

growl or

mutter

off the desert stretches

In frozen

Alas,the
The

But

ridgeslike

happy

our

We'll

drink

a

to driven

of warriors

multitudes

sea,

clouds,
brave

of cruel sand

pathlesswaste

now

as

enshrouds

homeward

comrade

his health

low.

curses

to

sound

!

turns.

of viol and

flute.
And

him

see

Another

cup, and

Falls thick the
The
As

red

forth
In

we

his

safelyon

flagfrozen

around

jostling
groups,

the

fortress

stirs not in the

ride from

out
or

;

the old salute !

then

snow

journey start

the Eastern

walls.

air,

gate,
"

quietlypair by pair.

74

LI

BY

HAN-LIN

Dynasty

Tang

"jJ^HE

roost

ravens

revels

While

the towers

upon

reign within

of

Su,

Court

the

of

Wu;
The

rustic Si-Shi with

Her

slender

Inflamed
The

by wine, she
of Wu

rhythmic

With

King

of Tsu

her

of Yueh

wine, and

now

she

and

grace.

begins to sing

pleasethe

to

king ;

fatuous

subtlyblends

to her

movements

Si-Shi o'er Wu
The

peerlessface,

form, her witchingsmile

in the dance

And
All

songs

her

sensuous

ends.

spellhas surelycast,
has snared

song,

and

his foe at last ;

dance,

the

hours

flyby:
The

water-clock

2

has

dripped till almost

dry.

Behind

the

the

now

of

What

'

Si-Shi,

named

had

who

the

Fu-Ch'a,

by

besotted

and

Wu

to

committed

-

Time

his

own

him

taught

all

of

Wu,

Prince

who

the

rival,

girl,

beautiful

very

ments.
accomplish-

feminine

the

into

fell

became

snare,

easy

an

State

the

of

Fu-Ch'a

defeat

his

;

!

his

ruin

annexed

After

dominions.

Wu

of

pleasures,
Yiieh

of

a

Su

suicide.

was

indicates

near.

been

dissolute

Prince

the

to

victim

to

to

;

of

towers

Halls

the

dawn,

forlorn

the

wishing

presented

of

moon

up

in

Yiieh

of

Wu,

of

climbs

revellers

Prince

The

Prince

the

the

sinks

sun

flush

the

appears

river

the

Beyond
And

hills

75

SNARE

FATAL

BEAUTY'S

by

measured

that

the

clepsydra,

the

night

was

far

spent

and

the

and

pression
ex-

dawn

76

T'ang

^HE

HAO-EAN

MENG

BY

(a.d. 618-905)

Dynasty

the

behind

daylight fades

Western

Mountains,
the

in the east is seen

And

in the

mirrored
faintly

Which

Foretells that

risingmoon,
garden

dreams

night and

fountains

coming

are

soon.

window

With

open

hair

"

and

unloosed

1

flowing,
I lie in restful
The

ease

evening breeze

And
The

Which

across

fragrantcoolness

With

in the solemn
fall of
grow

Sounds

through the

coos.

falls upon

from

rows
graceful

bed

;

the lilies blowing

stillness

dewdrops
in

my

upon

"

my

head.

all-prevailing,
the tallbamboos

"

along the railing

silence soft

"

as

dove's faint

IN

REVERIE

On

such

an

And

plaintive

playing
thus

And

mind

to

bringing
But

in

So

Of

bygone

Among

whom

I would

^

In

the

on

-

The

here

pleasant

a

top
name

of

lute,

the

upon

and

friends

to

join

stillness

I

days

and

thoughts

the

times

the

of

with

lie

pleasures

-

happy

could

hair

was

flute

and

harp

of

is

beaming

him

be

face

to

now

long

worn

old,

and

genial

companion

of

earlier

told.

knotted

head.

a

!

dreaming
friends

trusty

Sin-tze's

my

ancient

tunes

old

singing,

be

would

;

are

none

I

this

as

eve

77

SUMMER-HOUSE

A

days.

;

BY

TSING-NIEN

TsiNG

jJ^HE
It
And

the

out

Her

sinking in

scarcelyreaches

now

Come

is

sun

voice
on

To

buy

rings out

musk

Her

violets and

And

the fresh

Borne
An

last
on

sky,

flagstaff
high

a

sweet,

message

lightsome feet.

and

jessamine,

white

eglantine.

perfumes

of her

flowers,

night'srefreshingshowers,
the

entrance

;

fragilewares.

tripswith

her

a

the

dares
prettyflower-girl

to sell her

she

As

After

Dynasty

gentle breeze

through
of the

The

windows

Are

opened wide,

my

rich

and

soon

find

lattice blind.
and

heads,

great
ornate

With

Of

On

the

By

which

And

*

bought
deck

A

modern

Government
^

such

flowers

Formerly
means.

rich

deep

composed

poem

by

and

a

way.

dew,
fair,

lustrous

black

-

hue.

morning

the

day

their

beauteous

ladies

by

their

of

of

time

came

with

sparkling

Are

the

watches

and

walls,

brick-built

of

marked

men

many

Still

lines

falls

shadow

whose

sun,

straight

clocks

Ere

a

setting

hght

evening

the

in

bright,

jewels

and

forth

thrust

the

To

hair

glossy

Are

79

FLOWER-SELLER

THE

successful

hair.

student

at

Examination.

the

time

of

day

was

roughly

ascertained

by

80

EO

BY

YANG
Dynasty

Song

^p%OSTED to
Vp

The

old

a

SIU

distant mountain

Lang-Kwan,i

grown

region,
grey

in honest

work,
Oft

wandered

through

the

valleys rough

and

dreary
In

search

of treasures

which

might

therein

lurk.

One
He

day, growing
found

a

in

a

sheltered

red-flowered

corner,

pear-tree in

full

bloom,
And
As

before it stood
when

a

transfixed

with

wonder,

dazzlingbrightnessshines through

gloom.

the

himself

To
I
To

I

wish

Such

a

alas

task,
the

Than

long

the

remove

of

for

would

!

its

peer.

much

be

harder
of

journey

toilsome

and

demesne,

King's

the

here

from

tree

consort

royal

a

gently,

murmured

man

garden

find

And

old

could

the

grace

PEAR-TREE

KED-FLOWER

THE

82

Chang-

K'an,he

When
From

'

-

Wu

A

brought
the

Magistrate

Chang-K'an,
of

regions

Western

District

the

Han

the

grape-vine.

beautiful

the

brought

or

to

ancient

in

Chang-K'ien,
In

Dynasty.

pomegranate

to

a

this

China,

pomegranate
the

Land

of

Han.

times.
Minister

poem

but

of

it is
other

the

said

Emperor
that

writers

he

say

83

^ong of (ptincee^e
Z^ti^^n^'

M

BY

HAN-CHONG

(Ancient)

^TJS

Southern

I know

our

have

clans the

why

and

names

our

the world

snare,

thine

;

greatlydare,

marriagewould

decline.

evil talk

sent

us

far

apart ;

its love of slander balk ?

'Tis evil fate that has

I

with

thee,but

followed

Besmirched
But

Northern

love for thee would

though my

I would

a

kin avoid alHances

My
And

birds avoid

wept for thee and

despoiledmy

mourned

heart !

for three

long

years,

As

mourns

the

phoenix when

her

consort's

dead;
And

then death

For after thee

came
no

and ended

griefand

other could I wed.
F

2

tears ;

84

SONG

A

And

now

wraith

My
The

stand

you

's

And

oh

my

permitted

for

the
to

a

believe,

space,

leave

face

face.

to

quick

though

grieve,

moment's
to

thee

see

and

grave

Spii'itland

earth

visit

And,

before

of

confines

TZE-YUH

PRINCESS

OF

part

we

once

more.

And
Our

in
souls

And

^

the

body

are

one

Tze-Yuh,

State,

and
but

marry,

political

years

inspired

feuds

fruitless

of

there,
him

he
to

had
compose

abroad,

vision
this

visited
of

her

song.

o'er,

are

above.

Prince

of

other
their

and

Wu

the
wished

union.

and
died

mourning,
and

a

each

love,

time

realms

prevented

travelled

returned

Han-Chong
mourn

loved

Han-Chong

and

Fu-Chai,

of

daughter

Han-Chong
three

the

in

and

meet

till life

united

we

cannot

upon
There-

Tze-Yuh,
of

Tze-Yuh's

beautiful

to

grief.

after
When

grave

face, which

to

85

^iBtaett for Officiaf
BiU
BY

T'siN

5

OR

Or

idlyangled

Or

wandered

thirtyyeai's

TSIEN

TAO

Dynasty

I

mused,

read, and

and

wrote.

the

from

my

through

fishing-boat
;
the

woods,

climbed

or

hills,

Listening to songsters and

Or

saunteringin

As

friend with

Or

working

in

my

murmuring

garden talked

friend,for
my

to

with

happy

many

fields ablaze

with

rills;

flowers.
hours

;

golden

grain,
And

herbs
and

and
sane.

fruits which

keep

life clean

Far

from

the

busy mart

for

Striving

OFFICIAL

FOR

DISTASTE

86

gold

and

LIFE

hucksteringcrowd,
with

place

or

brawlings

loud,
"

From

youth

to middle

Midst

flowers

fields

and

I've

age

passed my

days

Nature

hearing what

says.

And

now,

For

far

alas ! I'm

King-chow,

crowned

with

rank

bound
office

and

friends I've bid

and

life's peace,

of

And

this boat and

;

villagehome

To

on

fear, I've

I

farewell.
tolled

the

knell.

off the shore

From
And

and

on

While

the

Floods

the

I cannot
The

the

forlorn

placidriver

great universe

sleep,the

future
cares

"

me

pleasantbreeze

pale shiningof

calls of office

Oppress
A

on

a

with

a

sense

the
with

flows ;

Queen

of

Night

silveryUght.
mind.

weights my
of every
of

blows.

now

kind

coming

hope againstunnumbered

woes

"

foes !

FOR

DISTASTE

I fain

would

Some

comfort

But

such

My

hands

How

I leave

The

the

office

To

till my

Where
The

I'll

I in

Muses

There

And

rustic

following
name

the

Book

I'll build

upon

may

in

lodge

still the

and

power,

hour

!

turn

rippHng

burn,

once

more

Nature

pore.

leisure

time,

of

thought

every

rank

passing

freedom

the

strife !

homeward

and

beside

happy
and

in my

I'll cherish

resign

farm

spoils of
of the

petty triumphs

My

A

I for

care

is tied.

life

happy

worldly

and

teachers
eternal

;

"

tongue

my

former

my

in ambition's

mingle

What

and

nerveless

are

sing,
bring

to

is denied

even

87

ballads

heart

sinking

solace

LIFE

and

harp

my

to my

poor

can

To

tune

OFFICIAL

sublime,

scene

of

my

truth.

youth

88

WEI

YING-WUH

T'ang

Dynasty

BY

^N
^

a

far-off fragrantgarden

Grows

reflection

Whose

Makes

a

when

But

Heart

and

Opal
And

the

I

this

see

mind

are

vision,

hour

too brief.

is the

clouds

dewy
the

the

with

wrung

of bHssful

ever

While

the brooklet

hours

Every

as

on

beauty rare,

vision fair.

now

Mourning

Rich

tree of

a

meeting

"

foUage,

shimmering boughs.

leaves still glisten
sun

grief,

allows.

90

^ong of t^t ^non?

Jl

BY

LUH

FANG-WENG

2J*HREE days

it snowed

on

Chang-an

^

plain,
With
The

drifts the Pass

iron

The

A

"

cows

could

dew-pans

'^

^

not

clad in white

And

Came

to the

Until
But

he

in the

And

on

moved,
cracked.

foxskin,

Pao-chan

night he supped

At

and

and
'^

strong of limb,
inn.

drank

full well

soundly slept;
earlydawn
his

;

mien,

curled moustache

With

be

froze and

traveller of handsome

stacked

was

he woke

strong horse leapt.

for

hunted

An

its

Transfixed

And

And

The

reddened

uttered

echoed

a

bones

The

met,

the

skin

beat the

air.

forest trees,

through the dells.

he

crowded
a

snow.

piercingyells,

then

carcase

Along
The

deep

the hills and

shook

Which

was

bounding body huge,

dying strengthit

With

snare.

fi'om his bow

arrow

And

craftybeast

the

when

And

tigerfierce

a

long had 'scapedthe

Which

snow

Range bare,

the South

reached

He
And

drifts of

ridingthrough the

Then

91

SNOW

THE

OF

SONG

A

dragged back
course

pillowframe
adorned

;

supplied,

his horse.

And

the

"^

'

"

the

provincial

Han

Dynasty

the

capital

Pans

to

hold

Wu

The

Precious

the

dew,
of

and

drinking-water
'

in

used

Vessels

of

the

thus

conservancy

Han

was

Dynasty
promote

Hairpin,'

of

in

but

Shen-si,

China.

pass

which

forth

come

!

capital

mountain

important

very

Han

of

King

Si-ngan,

A

might

of

men

Now

Emperor

"'

the

land,

the

ban,

under

such

help

To

'

is

peace
don't

Why

fills

confusion

when

But

SNOW

THE

OF

SONG

A

92

merely

Si-ngan.

near

of

the

collected

Kiver.

Yellow

to

with

provide
bathing-

the

and

longevity.
the

sign

of

the

inn.

93

Z^t Ofb Zm\"k among t^t
(TRounfains
WEN-CHANG

CHANG

BY

Tang

jJ^HEtemple courts
birds

And

tlu-ongin

to the shrine

Come

mice

climb

grasses rank

with

abound,

the forest trees around

pilgrimsfew, though

But

The

(618-905 b.c.)

Dynasty

tablets still remain,

wliile revolutions

through

;

the

reign.

curtains

"

full of

holes,

overspreadsthe

And

thick dust

The

temple pool in gloomy
which

To

'

a

The

the

meaning

broidered

blackness

lies

sleepingdragon^ sometimes

of this

expression is

signitication.
political

not

stoles ;

hies.

clear ; it has

94

BY
Han

^^Y^Y
^"

No

dear

SU-WU^

Dynasty,

and

wife,you

been

I have

the

has marred

doubt

earlier

or

one,

as

love

which
faith,

has won.

throughoutthe

Our

chief desire

Has

been

of love and

But

now,

alas ! the

And

sorrow's

I cannot

The

time

Awake,
The
And
As

my

joy of Spring departs,
our

heaits ;

quick the hours

do flee !

both

enter

I must

arise and

me,

how

griefof partingmust
yet the dreaiymarches
and

see

the stars have

dearest,for

through defiles

state

take.

joy to give and

shafts must

sleep;
; ah

married

be

set,

bravelymet
weight my

desert

;

mind,

"

plainsthey wind.

Where

bitter,paralysingpain

! the

think

To

"

that

we

long restrained

tears

calm

anxious

As, claspinghands, you
If

not,my

To

love

so

courage,

And

all the

And

this shall cheer

And

help you

we

Then

with what

When

I return

if,alas

Chinese

farewell

expeditionto

to bear

safe from

for

ever

own

the

therein

Love's
did

life.

our

renew

road,
load.

weary

your

day,

stay;

the toilsome

shall

joy we

commentators

to his

on

me

! the Fates

shall
My spirit

*

sighsrepressed

Young

of

pleasureswhich

here

fears ;

tenderlyconfessed.

will think

But

But

my

heart will break with

hear your

again!

meet

never

may

let fall the

I must

yield;

foemen

fightand naught to

I must

But, oh

battle-field,

awful

then, at last,the

And

95

WIFE

HIS

TO

FAREWELL

SOLDIER'S

A

the dreadful strife ;

should

death decree.

live with

regard

thee.

this

wife,written when he
land of the Hsiung-nu,

for
capturedand kept in captivity

many

was

sent

where

years.

Su's

as

poem

on

he

an
was

96

BY

TU

Tang

FU

Dynasty

jJ^HEsetting

beneath

Which

around

sun

mass

the red-lined

clouds,

the foot-hills in the

west,

valleywith

Still floods the
And

the

lures

a

rose-hued

chirping birds

light,

seek

to

their

rest.

The

From

The

years

then
of

of what

While
And

gaze

with

wife and
then

Fate

so

around

held

mouth

children

tears

the

agape,

or

gate.

long ago

loss,and
separation,

neighbours press

And

the

near

he sallied forth

which

Unconscious

The

traveller pauses

wayworn

;

in store

"

woe.

garden fence,
quietlysigh;

awestruck,rigidstand.

flow and

to his

arms

they fly.

98

C^e (pfeaautree
of a ^impk

BY

LI-SHANG-YIN
T'ang

A^N

these
Far

pleasanthills residing,
worldly din

from

Leisurelywith
Here

I pass

Gently wave
Fanned
While

Through
Stemmed
Round

By

a

happy

strife,

life.

the bamboo

copses.

by evening breezes light;
and

moon-beams

ghostlyhours
ravines

by

the bends
the

and

living,

nature

the flowers

In the

Dynasty

mosses

of

the waters
scattered
the

mingle

night.
gurgle.

rock

and

stone

footpathwanders

overgrown.

"

;

THE

Here
And

with
a

friends and
cup

no

A

other

SIMPLE

habits

of generous

Fingeringlute
For

OF

PLEASURES

I

heaven

Q

2

simple,

wine,

old songs

and

LIFE

singing

pine.

"

99

100

Butt in

a

I sat

boat

my

And

the hours

The

So

lovinglyand

Clutching

fast my

Eapture swayed
As

with

every

I listened

fir-trees

murmured

nerve

to the

swept,

low,

his lute

touched

the master

broke

night.

through

Falling cascades

flight,

fast in

were

stillness of the

Sighing winds

As

alone,

of music

the sound

When

("oat

a

SU-SHIH

BY

3N

on
t^t (pfaging

to

Bietmn^

"

slow.

lapelledcoat,
me

without

intent,
sounds.

bounds.

LISTENING

chimes

Ancient

forth

Drawn

the

days

Music

found

Has

Times

One

Change
Watching
As

god

Music

the

"

and

demand.

alike.
and

more.

storm

and

and

survives.

wane.

lives.

decried,

now

and

ditties

sought,

jerky turns,
insipid,

Light

"

wreck

rise and

of mortal

old is

deplore!

lute
priceless

nations

Light songs
Strains

style

years

the loss

few

alone

land,

forgottenlay,

Silent and
And

Wei,^

filled the

scant

thousand

a

and

instruments

and

For

but

well.

so

of Chen

of ancient

rare

hand

the Master's

confusion

When

101

jadestonebell,

on

lute he loved

From

Since

by

BOAT

A

to hear

again I longed

Yet

IN

LUTE

A

TO

crispywrought.

TO

LISTENING

102

of wood

Instruments
Void

the

Never

soul

more

Peaceful

Moon-beams
From

the

Night

In

the

The

^

Duke

Wen

Wu,

Wei

was

in

^

the

and

Chang,

the

upon

the

din

first

ruler

of life

pleasant

a

scene.

screen.

hour,
yet

once

more,

revive.

of yore

?

Dynasties.

virtual

his

song

the

melodies

days

Chen

being

Wang

play

Master,

Wen-wang's

'

now,

of this

you,

BOAT

greet.

river

provides

Will

As

of ancient

ceaseless

silence

A

remain,

may

is the

IN

feelings sweet,

of human

Which

LUTE

A

founder

posthumous
of

the

Chow

of the
title.

Chow
His

Dynasty.

Dynasty
son,

Prince

;

103

t^t {pdBC
on
(gefPecfione
This

is

one

only

JJTHE

section

down

went

sun

of

a

long

toem

and

Tao

by

cloudless

Tsien.

the

came

night,
gentle zephyr breathed

A

through

moonlit

skies ;
bevies

And
The

With

beauty of
wine

and

the

Deep sighswere

in
starlight

of the dawn

Court,

their eyes.

singingswiftlyflew

the hours

appeared ;

and

the

rapture ceased,

heard

and

weird

the music

when

the

thronged

women

the herald

Until
But

of fair

forebodings

feared.

Such
As
A

beauty
on

in the Halls

this fateful

lustrous
A

even

moon

in

splendidflower

night was

of T'sin
seldom

fleecyclouds
amidst

the

seen,

it shines

"

!

foliagegreen

!

104

EEFLECTIONS

How

fair

But

How

the

the

What

*

Court

it

was

of

such

This

at

the

overthrown

of

burdens

of

refers

probably

poem
end

of

the

by

these

as

raptures

the

fair

the

!

scene

"

pleasures
keen

revellers

of

groups

PAST

THE

ON

T'sin

the

must

those

the

to

coming

the

of

the

hours

of

Han

B.C.,

!

?

day

revelries

300-200

Dynasty

founder

fleeting

!

away

pass

the

before

Dynasty.

LOWLY

A

106

So

here

try

a

to

the

Above

For

All

yet

never

By

soar

strength
things

Who

are

allocates

I

will

contented

Although
Nor

FLOWER

realms

to

on

of

confines

has

hving

the

under

to

high
earth.

changed
heaven's

each

;

soul

wisdom

or

birth

humble

of

plant

lie,

his

his

control,
state.

fate

;

107

On

to
xdntnino^

^^Y

youth

TSIEN

TAO

BY

"ounft^Bife

a

the

spent amidst

was

simple

charms

x-^

Of

country

scenes

publicUfe, and struggledlong therein.

Of

captivebird

The

The

To

And

I oft

house

elm

While

and

of

think

longed,amidst

I have

now

its forest home

the

;

sea's broad

;

till a settler's

With
The

laments

tanks

fish in
strands

And

worldly din,

from

secure

! I fell into the net

then, alas

And

"

plotin

my

thereon
willow

officialcares,
sunny

plotof

lands.

fifteen

'

mow

of rustic build and thatch
cast

a

gratefulshade,

fillthe
plum- and peach-trees

patch.

',^

entrance

;

ON

108

The

in

Here

On

a

Chinese

A

of

farm

an

of

cares

free

acre,

English

and

the

room

from

won

"

from

live

with
"

own

the

and

healthy

office

natural

a

acre.

measure

of

marts,
lane

country

among

house

my

my

Escaped
I

is

life

And

fifth

cluck

chickens

dusty

silent

the

in

LIFE

COUNTRY

A

and

towns

barks

dog

While

'

busy

from

Away

TO

EETURNING

mulberry-trees,
mind

is

for

friend

the

and

;

sane.

or

two,

plain,

barren

routine,

life

again.

land

equal

to

about

one-

109

of "ift
(gtivit^

ZU
Poet

unknown

ANUK

years

^^

A

thousand

But

years

dark
let

With

To

a

of

us

sages

To

win

;

grief

its

is sad and
cheer

the

feast and

flight,

long ;

night

song.

it wise

and

live

may

arise

call him

brief,

are

therein.

niggard thinks
save

earlier

or

hundred

day quick takes

The

The

earth

packed

Are

Then

Dynasty,

on

few

But

The

Han

:

by

fool !

rule ;

110

for t^t
ComcxiptB feaptng
^xontux
"

TU-FU

BY

T'ang

A^HARIOTS

rumbling ;

Soldiers
Drums

On

of

each

Pipes are
On

arrows,

mighty

blowing,gongs
march

one

beside

bows
are

in serried

in

and

motley

stumbles, there

Through

hanging

are

Age-bowed parents,sons

Here

arise.

glittering
spears

they

Crowd

cries ;

shouting martial

warrior's back

Deadly

neighing;

horses

sounding ; trumpets braying;

are

Seas

Dynasty

the clouds

of

;

clanging,
rows.

daughters

bands

one

;

falters

blindingsands.

To
Or

mothers

and

Wives

their loved

the

On

dusty

sometimes
in the

ones

grieftheir

in

crowded

flanks.

children's

the

the clouds

'

To

what

Asks
'

To

the Yellow

Forced

To
'

'

;

River,flowing
and

dry !

conscription
dailysnapping
bind

us

to

clan ;

our

slowly sapping
conscription

All the manhood

And

"

their kin.

the desert bare

Ties which
Forced

creeping

stranger passingby

Through
'

"

they going ?

regionare
a

weeping

din,

to Heaven

begging for

Justice

ranks,

flinging

Eises sad above

the old
the

'Tis the
Drives

man

of the Han.'

went

stranger from

on

speaking

afar

:

Emperor, gloryseeking,
them

'neath

111

clinging

bodies

Mothers',wives',and

Through

FRONTIER

THE

FOR

CONSCRIPTS

his baleful star.

'

river ;

Guarding

Fightingfoes

masses

Proclamations, without

pity.

All

town,
village,

Of the streams

Petrifies the

Guarding

While

in

blood,

few

through the mountains,

rivers in the

plain;

sleep,in youth'sclear fountain,
come

! the dream

But, alas
With

blowing

wind

ghastlyflood.

of home

Scenes

To

of human

passes

Guarding

Only

flowing

the bitter north

Where

city

the

to swell

away

and

called away.

are

men

our

'Called

day by day,

us

upon

;

"

of fear.

Till from

'

drear

void

Rain

'

and

in savage

of mercy,

Scant

'

guarding passes

wild
frontier,

the

On

FRONTIER

THE

FOR

CONSCRIPTS

112

the morn's
return

their

back

again.

is leaded

recurringgrief,

grey-headed
"

"

homes,

for

days

too

brief.

There

'

left to

Wounded,

Frozen

by

the desert

Far

Spiritsof
Justice

'

the

This

is

people under

long
Han

from

wars

carried

Dynasty.

on

home

from

the dead

poem

breath.

to

west

east,

to the feast.

bones

men's
away

lonely.

legionsserried

hasten

Vultures

Brave

in

above

death,

bodies,left unburied,

plainfrom

the

to

wind's

the north

their

Where
Strew

*

away.

doomed

children

male

Slaughteredin

While

kin

bring forth daughters only

Than

'

"

carried

die,or

kith and

from

Better

'

harried

night or day ;
fighting,

Ever

Far

FRONTIER

Tartar

and

Hun

by

THE

FOR

CONSCKIPTS

114

desert
and

bleaching.

love.

beseeching

the heaven

above.'

miseries

of

compulsory militaryservice during

the

an

on

attempt

by

the

to describe

Emperor

the

Hsuen-Tsung

of the

115

t^t(^afueof a T)7ife
""B(im(xtin^
Ancient

Unknown:

A^NCE

upon

a

time

a

face before

the selfsame

Of

husband, weary
him

day by

day,
to dismiss

Determined
And

take

Without
The
The

a

new

delaythe
husband
wife

new

on

his

one

"

goodwife promptly.
greatdismay !

to her

little deal

"

being bent,

his purpose

through the

settled,

was

"

front door

entered

grandly,
The

One

old

from

a

side-door

sadlywent.

the old wife to her home

day

From

one

gatheringwild

flowers

on

returning
the mountain

side.
Met

with

her

quondam

asked
And, kneeling,

master

him

vied.
H

2

in the
how

the

valley,
new

one

'

The

'

Has

But

her

still

The

hands

she

can

old

Of

*

So

wife's

useful

when

Of

I

reckon

little

had

the

up

room

better

within

bargain

times

charms

my

in

touch

as

and

;

number

mind

for

I'd

much.

uses

and

when

weaving

unwearied.

and

One

alone.

dainty

her

the

useful,

work

five

weave

and

skilled

faster

number

goodwives,

There's

I

fingers,
fabrics

much

with

satins

deft

very

are

slowly,

own,

your

so

so

WIFE

A

very

to

not

are

hands

Embroidered

The

equal

compass

wife's

new

is

OF

husband

the

that

beauty

Nor

'

', said

wife

new

VALUE

THE

ESTIMATING

116

Two,

doubting,
you.'

117

*

i4NN

From

Lo-Fu

On

her

a

arm

Bent

her head

From

each

Just

one

swinging,
hand

own

weaves.

blithelysinging,

in

leaves.

gracefultresses

Falls the fine and
While

"

gatheringmulberry

on

there came,

adorning,

basket

she wanders

Forth

house

lady'sname.

of silk her

Made

morning,

sunny

no

the

was

earlier

or

her mother's

needed

who

One

Dynasty,

brightand

a

^^

Han

hair,

lustrous

shapelyear

caresses

pearlof beauty

rare.

Purple bodice, broidered quaintly.
Silken
Gave
To

skirt with

the touch
her

amber

demure

and

sweetlywinsome

lace.

saintly
face.

118

LADY

THE

Travellers
And

Young

men,

Doffed

Fanners

this

Where
Saw

For

stand
then

and

From

whether

morn

a

mission

dream.

a

allowing

to the sea,

wealth

Lo-Fu

beneath

he'd been
a

food

she did with

her silk

his escort

boughs

Helped

was

tree.

providing.
;

residing
of the best.

Envoy stopping
in array,

of mulberries

to make

amassing.

greatestzest

around

the tree the

Soldiers

ploughing,

Envoy passing.

an

much

Owned

With

in

win.

girla passinggleam.

All her friends

Near

in

the trees

her silkworms

Work

married.

or

glance to

a

as

they carried,

their chin ;

free

stay their hand

Of the

On

stroked

their hats

Peasants
Now

the loads

dropped

in wonder

LO-FU

a

fine

lopping

display.

the

Came

Envoy's trusty man,

his master's

Who

the

Lo-Fu,'came

Of the ancient

'

And

Will

'

'

join me

you

Sharing all

my

'

You
*

not

have

And

a

most

I,'she added
'

'

have

Also

And
Of

Midst

whom

Would

?

'

asked

wealth

far exceed

the

'

and

Envoy,
power.

your

dower

wife,'she answered

boldly,

firm and
a

husband

not

another

dear.

is the leader
horsemen
one

base

brave,
seceder

captaincrave

!

'

coldly,

foolish are, I fear ;

thousand

a

of T'sin !

house

husband

my

proudly,

answer

of this convoy

All the treasures
Would

clan.

is seventeen.'

age

my

and

name

little loudly,

Adding, too, a
'

urging,

message

her

Gently asked
'

119

emerging

his retinue

From

LO-FU

LADY

THE

!

'Mongst

the

his keen

With

and

wiry.

sword

by

patronage or fame,

Without
And

twenty, unassisted,

at

became.

Officer at Court

Then

at

unexpected,
thirty,

Captain in the Royal
Now

at

fortyhe

Chief

'

Than

*

;

of

Ch'ang-an.

gentle bearing,

the battle 's fought and

When
the

of

Clan

's selected

commandant

Gallant,but

For

his side.

but fifteen he enlisted

When

'

fiery,

's first espied.

troop he

erect
Soldier-like,

*

and

charger,white

his

On

'

LO-FU

LADY

THE

120

praiseof

less

men

for

the meed

won.

caring

duty done.

clean-souled hero
Yes, a clear-eyed,
Is the

And

your

When

man

I'm

value

praisingnow,

sinks to

compared

with

zero

his,I

vow.

122

"Hn "Hutumn

Bunino^in t^t

"axUn
BY

jjTHE Summer's

LI

YI

but

gone,

heat

summer

remains,
And

nightsstillleave
sleepless

So to the
And

The

on

white

garden
it I

I have

moved

us

all repining;

my

couch,

peacefullyreclining.

am

spread themselves

clouds

across

the

sky,
And

through
is

On

dewy
While

the

rifts the

moon's

soft

light

falling
grass

from

and

flowers

the towers

calling.

and

trees

nightbirds

around.
are

faintly

gentle

The

the

With

Which

waters

of

flow

and

the

tall

the

of

symphony

subtle

In

of

mstling

123

GARDEN

THE

IN

EVENING

AUTUMN

AN

bamboos

blending

is

tone

the

and

fountain

their

on

murmur

brook,

ways

unending.

through

While

the

gauzy

which

garments

I

wear

My

evening

cooling

The

of

feeling
Than

when

flowing.

is

contentment

I'm

is

breeze

where

more

the

gently

blowing,

deep

ruby

wine

is

124

(mu^jiidn
'

A^yVUH-LAN'Sswift
^-^

Crossed

with

warp

in deft and

woof

fro

and

fingersflyingto

even

row,

As

by

the side of

sat at work

But

tho' her hand

The

whir

the shuttle
be heard

cannot

neighbours asked

When

had
And

the women's

without

She

swiftlyplies
sighs;

for Muh-Lan's

mood

ills such

what

in

thought ;
all-absorbing

She

answered

not, for in her

The

summons

of last

ears

evening from
warriors

Callingto

arms

The

of Muh-Lan's

name

room.-'

wrought,
she worked

why

loom

spinning-wheeland

more

father

did

ring

the

King,

for the west,

heading

all the

rest.

But

he

Excuses
Her
Nor

was

ill

meant

"

no

to take

his

place,

suspicionand disgrace;

father's honour
nor
friend,

son

must

foe,his

not

stainless

be in doubt
name

shall

;

flout;

125

MUH-LAN

She
And
Her
But

herself his

would

fightthe

should

A

chargerhere, a

And

With

next

of her

these

;

race.

she

whip

a

equipped

resolved

there,she bought.

saddle

bridle and

a

was

evolved,

danger face.

the

she would

the prowess

Relying on

soon

it,this she

know

Alone, unknown,

sake.

foe for honour's

Northern

fixed,the plan was

purpose
none

undertake

duty

she

sought ;
soldier's

the

donned

gear.

herself with

Arming

before the

And

then

She

kissed

her

Caressingthem
She

mounting

Into

the

And

as

Her
That
Nor
Then

parents
with

meet

her secret

not

fears

soon

his

fingerssoft

what
a

by

as

they saw

the Yellow

light,
sight;

her comrades

River's

rode

fate forbode

comrade

vanished

until

and

sleep.

their unconscious

the

day they gallopedwestward

paused

journeysteep

in their troubled

horse she with

night to

glittering
spear.

began

sun

quietlypassedfrom

And

and

bow

the

;

knew,

morning

dew.

fast and

far.

evening star

rushing flood

;

MUH-LAN

126

The

turbid stream

swept

home
Muh-Lan

foam

swirl and

with

on

of

dreams

DispellingMuh-Lan's

blood.

cool their fevered

and

They stoppedto rest

friends

and

;

! Muh-Lan

mother

her

heard

! she

cry"

The

roared

waters

Muh-Lan
The

river

The

second

And

surged

Muh-Lan

Muh-Lan

!
pray

While

on

Tartars'

The

morning

bows

Black,

it,bivouac
her

hears

her mother's
sends

camp

dawns

sun

on

may

sends

Through frostyair
While

"

!

;

father

on

forth

fall!

lipslet

bugle call !

a

in armed

men

meet

them

forth

a

on

array
that

day

;

pallidlight

knightsin

strung tight,and
rows,

neigh ;

Tartars' horses

ridge the

that death
Winter

she

!

Muh-Lan!

The

The

feeds

sigh

"

the

Muh-Lan!

Aware

which

by

the River

night they reach

the range

on

billows

in angry

reply!

her father

! she heard

! Muh-Lan

in

thundered

and

bright;

armour

spears

in

ing
glitter-

127

MUH-LAN

Forebode

the

And

the

A

soon

struggleof contending foes.
trumpets blare

The

"

went

war

wield

;

!

won

and

bow

could

spear

;

skill and

her

won

courage

widespread fame,

praised,and

comrades

And

begun
fight's

battle-field

a

many

both

Muh-Lan

Revealed

Her

and

on,

is

the Pass

and

deadly onelee

the

"

of

leaders

great

name.

Then

after several years

Muh-Lan

and

others,who

fields of

From

of march

strife,

and

life

'scapedwith

had

victorydrenched

with

patriots'

blood.
Returned
when

And
The

again to

at last the

warriors,who

Were
And

summoned

so

and

Capital
^

many

they loved.

forts had

did their

presents

on

reached,

was

to the presence

coui-tiers many

Money

the land

see

breached,

of the

King,

praisessing;
them,

too,

were

showered,
And
While

some

with

rank and

office were

Muh-Lan, singledout

from

empowered

;

all the rest.

MUH-LAN

128

Was

offered fief and

But

giftsand honours

If she

might only

Some

courier

To

her

bear

guerdon

camels, strong and

swiftlyto

fleet of pace,

her native

place.

the

last,the journey nears

And

mother's
father's,
'

to choose

be allowed

now,

"

gladlylose

she would

And

In

of the best.

at

voices

Muh-Lan

Muh-Lan,

end,

quickly blend

welcome, welcome,

!

dear!'
And

this time

there

Her

younger

sisters

naught

was

decked

but

joy to
house

the

fear.
with

flowers,
And

lovingwords

fell sweet

Her

little brother

shouted

For

many

The

greetingso'er,she slippedinto

proud

with

Radiant

bloom
And

Her

head

Muh-Lan's

happy

country

showers;

summer

praise,

boastful

flowers

days !
her

in

room

"

fragrant

"

changed
dress

and

as

her

soldier's

garb

for woman's

:

adorned

with

simple maiden's

tress

"

180

LUH

FANG-WEN

T'ang

Dynasty

BY

0|^^HILE wandering
To

the

view

up

the river-side alone

landscapeof

new-found

my

home,

Away

from

cities and
I midst

Where

the haunts

nature's

of

scenes

men

quietly

can

roam,

I

came

upon

Ensconced
And

in

While

a

a

fisher's

within

a

lonelyhut
winding

boat the fisherman
on

his sail the

of the stream,

himself

sunlightsent

;
a

gleam.

THE

the river stands

Across
Which

181

FISHERMAN

OLD

a

mountain
stately
tried to

artists oft have

wandering
paint,

But

could

none

colours
Of

blend

of

gazed upon

yet his mind

flushes faint.

rose-dawn

and

Alas ! the fisherman

And

subtle

"

purpleblues

Has

the

seize

through summers
the

gloryof

many,

this scene,
to its beauty,

's unwakened

His hand unskilled to limn its tints and sheen.

And

my

And
So

men

hand, too,alas
cannot

serve

! has lost its
brain

my

will lose another

Of Nature

with

her

as

in my

youth,

glorious
picture

beauty and

I2

cunning

her truth.

1S2

in t^t (Barton
(mtinig^i
TSONG-YUEN

LIU

BY

(Ancient Style)

Dynasty

T'ang

jJ^HE midnight hours

sleepstill past me

And
mind

My

Could

my

I open

Across
The
On

wide

western

And

bed

"

arising

the door

"

park revealing,

hills that heavenward

the Eastern
clear

flew ;

dropping dew.

the

hear

So from

The

keenly working

so

"

passing

were

moon

soar.

ranges

coldlyshines

bamboos, looselyscattered,
And

trailingmountain

vines.

MIDNIGHT

And

That

I

the

pigeons

murmuring

And

I

hours

in

As

And

a

now

I

the

from

hear

For

the

intense

so

see

the

have

stillness,
hills

distant

cooing,
and

streams

thinking,

been

silent

dream,

beyond

the

dawn's

188

GARDEN

THE

IN

mountains

first

gleam.

rills.

184

t^t (gteptfp
on
(Jleffecfion0
of Btf^
Poet's

unknown

name

:

(206

Dynasty

Han

B.C.-220

a.d.)

0[^^E sought the cityby
chariot

Our

the road

Along
The

And

tremblingof
far away
whose

Beneath
In Hades

How

vast

a

as

the

The

rocks

But

mortals

leisured

rate,

which

the

sunlightweaves
rustlingleaves.

towering high,
pine-trees

shade

mortal

morning
and

a

the willow's

the graves

never

hills

dew

of heroes

lie ;

long sleepthey take.
more

the

gulfbetween

the

Yet

gate,

at

their last

now

which

From

are

the Eastern

moving

on

earlier

or

our

shall wake.

quick and

life is

dead

sped ;

enduring strengthretain,

pass in fast and

endless

train.

REFLECTIONS

Alas

!

the

the

Beyond
Alchemic

cannot

Then

let

In

grave

the

nostrums,

They

And

inert

are

sages

take

life

To-morrow

a

turn

the

little

we

best

may

die

and

in

while

hour

be

;

vain,

endless

to

fleeting

the

race

our

used

goblet

pleasure
must

of

are

ills

135

trace

future

life's

the

drain

us

to

too,

LIFE

OF

BREVITY

ON

gain.

live,

we

can

give.

won.

there'll

be

none.

136

BY

^N
*^

WANG

Of the

So-fei

fabric

of gauzy

dress

a

CHANG-LING

'

'

Lien

leaf's emerald

glidesamongst

Sprinkled with

Rose-hued

are

the

the

Is it So-fei's form

Now

the flowers

I hear

From

Which
From

a

I

morning

maiden's

follow,

she seeks ?

song

the lotus

the lilies
dew,

lotus-blossoms,

Rose-hued, too, the

Or

hue

arising
bowers,

the
distinguishes

maiden

her sister flowers.

cheeks

;

138

A

in

Deep

searching

With

endows

With

I

come

Winged
Bidding

literary

flight
to

similar

men

in

our

to

China

and

where

this

when

power.

found

one

it,
dwell

genii
the

upon

earth

flower,

finder

have

may

realms

your

Poems

Chang-pu,
purple

life

you

to

the

happy

the

immortal

And

^

for

bloom-flushed

its

Which

Ere

FAREWELL

dragon,

farewell.

are

bidding

written

frequently
farewell

to

a

friend.

by

189

BY

^N

ancient

"-^

Made

gay

which

his

On

the

flagsof

ships in

rake.

pale Ught,
^

Sits silent in the

mammoth

The
And

send

Ku-mi
clouds

As

The

^

seeds

The

float

weight of

are

frames

scales.

on

the

hue

of sombre

lotus-flowers

move

thi'oughtheir

Vibratingall their
The

to

seem

stony whales,'^

tremor

a

the shore

night.

breezes

Autumn

The

Lake,^

strife

mimic

Spinning-Maid upon

The

^

is the scene,

in the moon's

And

Wu

Khwun-ming

the

deserted

now

FU

of foemen

decks

The

But

times

TU

;

crushed

frozen

dew.

waste,

beneath

While

lakes

Midst

The

140

throne
"^

is

probably

capital of

the

an,

below.

streams

Han

the

of

situated

the

ascended

Dynasty

in

China

to the

of

south-west

Han

the

provincial capitalof

the

now

and

B.C.

lake

A

fisherman

Wu

Emperor

above,

^

aglow,

aged

an

Pass

cloud-capped

eagle'seye
but

Sees

^

the

from

The

LAKE

KHWUN-MING

THE

140

and

city

This

Dynasty.

Shen-si

Chang-

better

known

stood

on

Si-an.

as

"'

A

of

shore

opposite
*

image

stone

lake, and

the

Spinning-Maid

another

Cowherd

the

of

one

the

on

shore.

image

stone

A

the

of

scales

finely carved

of

an

also

was

placed by

with

covered

fish

immense

side

the

of

the

lake.
''

A

kind

of rice.

*

Probably

the

The

whole

celebrated

poem

that

revolution

had

and

desolation

taken

greatness.

has

a

turned

the

'

Tung

'

Pass

Chang-an.

near

politicalsignification implying
the

country

place of

former

into

a

wilderness,

prosperity

and

141

jJ'HEfoliageof
birth

of the

Nature

these

as

would

Who

in

us

woos

teaches

And

vernal

a

lessons

not

bright

fading earth.

be

as

within

tender
that

rejoice,

hearts

our

deeper thoughts arise

And

its

shows

cassia-blossoms

beauty

such

seasons

Spring

;

the

Renew

As

freshness

in the Autumn

While

In

the lilies in the

glowing

In

KIU-LING

CHANG

BY

are

grass

the

mind,

mood,
true

and

and

kind.

flowers

and

trees,
That
And

denizen

listeningto

With

the forest and
the music

sympathy

and

the

of the

mutual

hill,
winds,

gladnessthrill !

REFLECTIONS

142

For

flowers

In

By

have

sweet

content

in

them

fair

plucking
Aught

These
In

the

to

four

allegory

this

official

life

and

cannot

add

to

them,

"c.,

happiness
posts,

and

his

implies
of

the

inviting

a

of

of

happiness
that

poet
him

the

by
to

the

Emperor

appointing
the

Court.

a

long

Beautiful

for

women

by

flowers

plucking

increase

cannot

him

poem.

distaste

own

Nature.

;

yield.

lives

of

his

field

add

own

section

reveals

live

to

or

cannot

their

poet
love

glade,

or

women

but

are

the

the

glen,

happiness

stanzas

them

teaching

natures

to

high

the

official

143

CHANG-KIU-LING

BY

't'M but

"^And

(a.d. 618-905)

Dynasty

Tang

sea-bird,
wandering

a

dare

not

call the

alone,

here

ponds

lakes my

and

own;

But

what

those two

are

lovelybirds

on

high,

the morning sky ?
Shining resplendent'gainst

Upon

top bough

the

of the San-Chu

Presumptuously they build
Their

feathers
if

What

Such

The

their

missile should

well

even

excite the envy
the

gods

high ambition

may

see

;

far,
!

beauty mar

they with joy expose,
of their foes

view

of the

tree,

that all may

the iris lovelier

which
brilliant robes,

Might
And

a

than

^

with

proud

;

dire disdain

and

vain.

PKIDE

144

Now

I

Far

from

in

Yet,
No

^

"^

mean

in

raise

would

This

translation

mythical
a

very

is

tree

of

conspicuous

the

by
is

greed

where

world

a

roam

can

flecked

nest,

one

A

obscurity

quiet
my

HUMILITY

AND

hand

a

only
the

a

to

tree.

take

of

but

in

;

the

;

life.

my

a

foam

rife,

always

portion

genii

ocean's

long
poem

poem.

it

may

IN

DWELLERS

146

Where

him

bore

the current

scenes

long and low,

through channels
As

the

obscured

mist

azure

an

VALLEY

STREAM

PEACH

gentlyinto

a

world

of

long ago.
In

old, flower-bestrewed

this

path the
For

the streams

on

of
Yet

eye could

from

peach
the

and

on

flowers

the

fell ;

the

with

coolingwaters

shady
here and
of calm

Were

the red rain

which

land
river

alongits bed

;

peach-tree
groves

And

the banks

forth the Peach-Fount

But, winding

no

tell,

this favoured

of silver sand

Hid

first

purple-shadowedmountains

screened
Flowed

land, at

stream, the
with

thickset
flowers

red-veined

flowing in

and

out

the

bowers.
there

alongthe banks, set

in nooks

repose.

cottage homes
the wreathed

of rustic work
blue smoke

from

arose

;

which

IN

DWELLERS

that in this

Showing

days of
And

the

simpleas

in the

golden

yore,

people of

the

and

sweet

as

on

happy valleybeyond

dull roar,

world's
Life went

147

VALLEY

STREAM

PEACH

tliis valleyin their ancient

garments clad
Were

in their

courteous

in all
the

While

they had

And

the

set before

him

when
the

them

hand,

hid
flax-plant

the

in this favoured

regionsaw

strangerguest,

bade
And

beside

land.

barren

the dwellers
the

They

all at

mulberry-treeand

former

When

fowls

with

harmonized

rejoiced

;

and

dogs

and

manners

tine

him

food and

and

kindly

rest ;

courtesy allowed

thingsand

In the world

wine

they asked

of

men

of sin and

sorrow

quiet life'sken.
R

2

far

beyond

their

148

DWELLEKS

And

when

IN

PEACH

VALLEY

the time to leave them

stranger could

They

STREAM

led him

the

stay,

through the

him

saw

not

and

came,

cavern's channels

and

sail away.

In after life the fisherman

often tried

again,but

failed
To find the
he
But

had

once

had

course

He

thought he

Valleythrough which

sailed ;

the sand

when

the

opening to

of life through the

glassits

nearly run,
the way

saw

layto

it

beyond

the

westeringsun.

'

and

There

are

The

prose.

translation
than

that

This

in the poem

by

written

Examinations

Many

power

Chinese

legend both

'The

',are

on

in poetry

closing lines

other

versions

of

of the

the

story

translated.
Fishermen's
taken

successful

from

Song',

and

'The
'

'A Selection of Poems

graduates

at

the

Government

during the present dynasty.

of these

written,and
the

and

Eamble

of this

introductoryand

partlybased

are

poem

Students'

versions

many

prize poems

they reveal
and

poets.

genius

are

cleverlyand beautifully

considerable
found

in

poetictalent,but
the

work

of

not

ancient

149

TSIEN

TAO

BY

(a.d. 265-419)

T'siN Dynasty

^

wrinkled

AM

*^ And

old before

For

five

on

And

not

Ah-Sliu
The
He

and

gray,

my

day

I

sons

look,

loves

one

is sixteen

sightof

;

work

book.

a

years,

he fears

;

is the laziest lout

You'd

find the world

throughout.

Ah-siien has tried in vain
A

little wit to

He

shirks

At

grammar

gain ;

the student's
he 's

a

stool,

fool !

THE

150

is

Yong-twan
And

I

yet

The

is

Tong-tze

On

that

does

opine

can

Fate

I

do

my

that

its

and

he

!

^

cares,

pears.

dour

so

vials

drown

Implies

all

nuts

her

me

What

^

nine,

of

Consists

eight

and

only

with

life,

Alas,

now,

avow

six

clearly

That

And

do

figures

But

thirteen

discriminate

can't

He

SONS

FIVE

should
but

!

dine.

woes

is

pour

a

in

mne

thorough

!

dunce.

151

BY

A

POET

Name

'

unknown

(206

2J^HEjourney back
The

road

To

me

to

along

As
And
Our

mile

on

quick as
years

"

see

the road
to

"

run

sad load !

my

around,

track

are

mile
these
and

not

the

the way

pass ;

we

sound

through the

east wind

thingsI

begun,

now

only moving thing and

The

220)

d.

a.

for aye

seems

o'er the endless

As

The

with

has

vast the wilderness

How

The

which

b. c.

winds

Chariot

The

DYNASTY

HAN

THE

OF

grass !

old,
is won,

thingschange
age

comes

"

on.

are

told

152

THE

By

time

A

We,

No

too,

One

iron

poet's
the

Han

things,

only

Dynasty

time

with

stone,

name

away.

pass

the

can

to

grave's
save

we

brave,

claim.

stern

"

fame.

everlasting

The

decay,

and

we

and

brings

cycle

perishable

must

treasure

An

during

her

have

power
As

each

flourish

to

with

And,

^

law

nature's

BACK

JOURNEY

is

but

unknown,
(206

b.

c.

to

a.

he

(or

d.

220),

she

or

?)

lived

earlier.

CAPTAIN

AND

The

landlord

of the

had

a

and

young

her teens
And

with

this

though

Attired

so

and

young

Tze-tu

was

charming she

was

alert.
hostess

to the wants

fair,in gracious

of

wine

flowingskirt,and girdledloose
wile.
girlish

with

food.

in

vest

ancient

crowned

style;
on

with

Ta-tsin

^

side with

either

Lan-tien

^

pearlsenlaced

a

massive

jade,below

said
dainty figure,
sigh.

ever

which
vie ;

no

with

:

and

sightwith
could

outer robe of

wide-sleeved

graced,

tresses

This young
with

and

head

slender

a

out of

guests for

Embroidered

Was

not

charming lady Fung

attended
and

And

yet

day in Spring this
servingmood,

Alone

Her

pretty wife

;

much

very

One

scarcelya

to flirt;

wont

But

wine-shop was

of means,

man

But

WIFE

INNKEEPER'S

154

other

on

the

gallants

this earth

AND

CAPTAIN

And

they posed

as

INNKEEPER'S

WIFE

her

in their

before

155

elegant

attire,
She

them

and allowed
deftlyfilled their glasses,
to admire.

Just

dainty hostess

this

as

the

inn.

vintagesselected
Preparingspecial
Up

rode

a

alone within

stood

gay

officer with

young

the

from

bin.
of

canopy

rank,

Accompanied

by

afoot

attendants

either

on

flank ;
His

joint.

at every

And

trappingsrichlybound

handsome
charger's

saddle

silver-mounted

burnished

the

to

flashingpoint,
"

Alightingfrom
the
The

very

his horse

there

stood

the

of

son

Kin-Wu,^

gallant oflicer,the

dashing Fung

Tze-tu.
He

called for wine

in tasselled

jug,and

carp

on

golden plate,
And

thought
would

such

elate ;

lavish

bravery

the

lady

156

CAPTAIN

AND

such

Besides

show

burnished

Together with

WIFE

INNKEEPER'S

he

offered

her

mirror

a

bright,
a

red silk skirt of gauzy

texture

light;
All

of

Who

does

give her smiles
greatestgain :

silk skirt

Nor

rent within

has

men

spied within

skirt,she mused,

red

no

pang

in

wrought.
good

name

cause

you

thought ;

tire of wives

soon

the

rent.

a

the

serious

a

For

she

the loss of my

would

for

vent,

poignant when

you

love,but

quiteother thoughts

mind
lady's

the

found
More

for

not

Alas! within

the eyes

vain,

woman

the

The

surelydaze

these,he thought,must

and

seek

their

joys

in faces new,
But

wives

gallantsdo
the

Among

to

true

are

their

eschew

lowly born, as

first spouse

and

;

in the camp

or

royal

abode,
Are

women

who

true

are

stainless code

:

to death

to

honour's

I

thank

time

this

But

of

Armies

the

Ho

against
'

^

"

similar

the

a

117

several

Wu

Ti

in

district

in

Shen-si,

b.c,

of

Commander

campaigns

victorious

military
that

officer

of

famous

for

its

jade.

Empire.

Roman

the

Ta-tsin,

to

gallant

my

Hsiung-nu.

Lan-tien,

A

died

K'u-ping,
Han

vain,

!

Tze-tu

General

in

loved

have

you

Fung

^

son

Kin-Wu,

the

of

brave

shown,

favours

the

for

you

157

WIFE

INNKEEPER'S

AND

CAPTAIN

of

the

Han

Captain-General.

Dynasty,

holding

a

rank

158

Z^t Bab J Cho'.t^im'
BY

SoKG

jJ^HECourt

EO

YANG

Dynasty

SIU

(a.d. 960-1278)

of Han

which

shone

with

beauty

faces

fair,

rare

Of

dowered

high-bornwomen

Had
Of

fortune

lowly

Now
To

within

one

form

Which

but of

Chao-Chiiin's

courtier's

But

unknown

it,yet

flower had

every

to

fame.

gentlename.
hue

spared some

or

grace

divinelylovelyface

greed had

Chao-Chiun's

with

barred

father

the Palace

would

not

;

gate,
try

to

sate.

Nor

could

the maid

herself her

beauty flaunt,

And

hold her fair name

Her

Royal Master, therefore,did

At

lightfor gold or

of her, painted for
portraits

a

but

taunt ;

jibe

bribe.

And

so

this

left

peerlessgirlwas

alone,

imperial

Yuen's

shared

have

might

Who

159

CHAO-CHIUN

LADY

THE

throne.

Yen-Show's

But

chargesgrave againsthim

And

fled the Court
with

And
He

were

fox, or
as harried
traitor-like,

Then
He

last itself betrayed,

greed at

to

Abetted
The

by

this

foe ;

lovelymaid,

plans to

wise
courtier,

armies

Tartar

the

his

Chief

fired the Tartar

doe,

Northern

help the

of
portraits

true

arrayed;

and

arch,

the

crossed

aid.

Emperor's

march.
And
From

The
Now

devastated

King,

sought

country

peoplefled

the

which

Han

all the

conscious

for

terms

in

near,

piteousfear.

of his
of

waning

peace

in

power.

danger's

hour;
And
The

these

were

Lady Wang

granted,if,with parlancebrief
would

wed

the Tartar

chief.

THE

160

But

the

ere

To
The

Emperor

Yet

baselyfeared

The

silence

And

slew the

But

useless
to

For how
Of

And

so

With

in

who

! of

Chao-Chiun,

presence

avaricious

his Palace

own

his sway.

Chao-Chiun, beneath

sport,alas

girl
of

or

who

the

Emperor

Mao
courtier,

her weary

the endless

Chao-Chiun,
Yuan

?

load,

road,

lowlywayside flower,

precluded

was

door.

miles away

beauty'sfateful

Wang

more,

near

to

tears each

fuel.

perceivedno

strengtha thousand

with

girl;

cruel,

added

were

happened

the

acts,and

throne

royalguards began

beautiful

limned

puny

monarch,

still.

whirl.
passion's

in

had

to force the Hun

Watering

^

burning

a

could

Encamped

The

such

stood

the Tartar's will.

raved

painterwho

were

his heart

to thwart

passed,he

home,

the desert roam,

and

her, and

saw

thingswhich

Expect

left her

peerlessmaiden

the mountains

brave

Which

CHAO-CHIUN

LADY

was

from

(Han

Yen-sheo,

power.

who

a

very

entering

Yuan

bribed

Ti) by
the

the
an

court

162

i^i ^aRe
on
Qttg^f
BY

Song

JI^HE

TONG-PO

SU

Dynasty

breeze

(a.d.960-1278)
the

sighing through

is

water

grass,

As

up

And

and

the

down

rain-moon

The

boatmen

floods the lake with

and

the water-fowl

in their dreams

And

big fish

The

see

flurried fox flees from

In

depths of night it seems

I and

That

o'er other

my

marks

shadow
the

sleepsound,

in haste

startled sneak

the

around
away,

dawning day.

the human

thingshas
play upon

boundary

night

palHd light.

other worlds

As

Its sway

I pass ;

of Autumn

rarest mist

through the

The

deck

narrow

soul

lost control ;

the strand

of the silent land.

;

NIGHT

We

watch

Forming

the secret

LAKE

THE

ON

tides in noiseless

isles where

new

163

work,

earthworms

safely

lurk;
And

on

the

moon

a

"

pearl

monstrous

"

A

glimpseof

As

on

changing griefand

life of

our

worlds

purer

this lake when

Speaks to

us

in the dark

But

hark,the

And

birds awake

The

guardshipbeats

While

cock

din and

and

crows

in

will

nature's

;

gaze,

in silver haze.

Looming through willow-trees

Amidst

we

come

woe,

and

go,

holy power
silent hour.

ringsthe temple bell!

and dell
mountain, plain,

;

its drum, the boats unmoor,

shouting on

L

2

the hearer

pour.

164

PRIZE

T'siNG

Ti

HE

is

sun

Bidding
'

Of

Dynasty

sinking in

'

cry,

people rush

buy

shell-fish,
too, we

are

And

scarcelyhalf
at the

pilesof

a

We'll

And

drink

Then
The

with

if

we

the
our

they go

And

Luh-e

'

'

'

*

wine

Good

fillof "Luh-e

wine

left !

bright

villagewits

to the

search,

bereft,

feel inclined

So off

of rest.

perch ;

our

silver

shall
fisher-boys

to

basket

They laugh,and shout,
'

west,

think

need

no

to

We've

the

the fishermen

To-day,'they

The

CHENG-CHENG

BY

POEM,

'

!
to-night

combine
"

^

wine

;

to roam,

lead

us

home.'

evening meal.

is drunk

with

zeal ;

after

And

draining

And

with

wild

And

rush

out

on

Bright

in the

Tricked

of

Voices

leave

After

the

Even

fishermen

no

So

spreading

And

soothed

To

have

sleep,and

'

content,
;

out.

fine bout

undefined
the

;

!

din
in ;

to turn

sails in

a

sandy

cave,

sound

of the

lapping

the

reveller

yields

of

dreams

Luh-e,' the

bent

flutes,come

and

the

hearts'

combined

had

by

noon.

music

a

discord

their

their

on

move

languorous

and

^

to

shouting

seize

moon,

at

sun

instruments

and

Soon

Tired

the

Pan, and

music

and

mirrored

the

as

they

evening breeze.

moon

they

pipes

Wine

sea

of grass,

net

a

in the

the

by

Shoreward
The

shouts

catching

Intent

glass,

every

fishers' coat

doff the

They

165

SONG

FISHERMEN'S

THE

name

Elysian

of

a

famous

fields !

wine.

wave,

166

BY

LU-TEH
Dynasty

T'siNG

longercould

^\

0

V-/

To

essay,

or

The white-fleeced
The

angle,or

such

students
like

cling

thing ;

sky in depths of sapphireblue,

mother-earth,in Spring'sbewitching hue,

Enticed
And

the blue-robed

forth to

them

ponder

gather strength from

lore,

fresher

boundless

nature's

store.
So

leavingcollegedesk, and book, and file,
the

They tramp
mile
But

By

green-robedcountry

"

mile

;

restingoft

within

side of mountain

some

rill or

shady nook.
babblingbrook.

on

The

voice of

On

new-mown

streams, the

air after showers

sweet

earth, and

and

grass,

167

KAMBLE

STUDENTS'

THE

fragrant

flowers ;
The

depths of

The

unseen

the

space,

hills ;
everlasting
and

that moves,

power

guides,and

stills

reveals

law

And

varied

nature's

All animated

life

all

where

seemed

useless

strife
"

Their

enthralled,and coursingwith

sense

their

blood

Through
Divine
Seemed
In

Or

every

and

human,

nearer

marble

Yet

incense
as

now

Find

we

the unknown

pray

God,

people trod.

common

they turn.
reluctantly
would

they wind through woods
streams

buried
pent-up feelings,
voice

"

day.

when

even

still to nature

By willow-bordered
Their

this radiant

kin than

wayside fanes, by
homeward

strong impetuous flood

on

temples to

But

So

vein in

in classic chants

of

they burn

tall,
pine-trees

where

catkins

deep
from

;

and

fall,

long.

ancient

song.

chorus

As

softly

wafted

The

water-fowl

Are

gently

The

with

songs

speed

insect,

each

or

And

little

gift

^

This

implied
would
Chinese

is
in
not

a

falls

each

aims

free

the

reveal
reader

original.

of

A

thoughts
the

the

in

sings.

poem.

yet

blest,

sacred

fire,

heart

nearly

crudely
aroused

:

west,

the

of

the

day^;

brings

student's

translation,

the

Heaven

to

lay

closing

anthem

its

regions

altar

higher

And

choral

the

sinking

the

up

nature's

From

is

sun

lighting

And

a

the

as

dreams;

"

praise

of

streams

summer

scholars'

the

peasants

bird,

Then

their

of

And

and

ponds

from

rare,

air,

evening

village

wakened

and

clear

the

on

on

mingled

While

solo

and

sweet,

Are

KAMBLE

STUDENTS'

THE

168

inspire.

word

every

literal
in

is

translation
the

mind

of

170

The

AIDENS

V-/

Heads

Trip along the

the wild

Through

Fitful shades
Flee

and

Lest

reposes,
in

group

posies,

queenly roses,
they conquering glide.

the flowers

the

Where

tresses,

river-side.

flowers
the

than

Fairer

lustrous

with

the violet sweet

Where

dresses,

soft caresses,

Nestling pearls in

And

in gauzy

robed
adorned

(a.d. 386-532)

Dynasty

Wei

Northern

A^VV

YONG

YUH

BY

gushes,

coolingwater
of willow

hide among

the maidens

bushes
the

rushes,

should

deride.

BY

MAIDENS

sylph-like,

Tripping
East

blowing

wind

Which

And

it

would

ever

as

on

in

holds

RIVER-SIDE

THE

soft

there

the

Graces,

their

faces,

embraces,
abide.

171

172

BY

T'siN

Too

great for

By tramping
knocking

Gave
And
You

I

when

in

reached,
miles.

unknown

an

with

me

door,
smiles.

roughly asked

for

wine

need

meat
a

I

weary

many
at

and

kind

chatted

and

"

to bear.

me

welcomed

You

And

strode,

causing little care,

villagehere

last your

And

I

feelinglife's oppressiveload

While

At

by hunger, forth

whither

But

(a.d.265-419)

Dynasty

^MPELLED
^

TSIEN

TAO

my

food,

friendlymood

while

I ate.

to

sate,

THE

Now

having

And

A

shared

and

From

let such

In time

Your
Is
Would

her

and

kindly help to

now

old,

royal breed,
scanty

to

in

can

me

this hour
and

grace,

royal power.

replace.

of my

heart

only lamely tell,

simple verse

Of kindness

store

need.

Han-Sin's

! the fullness

My tongue

glass,
I fear

fraughtwith equal love

Thy bounty

Alas

of

hard-earned

of darkest

I had

cheer,

goodness pass.

Han-Sin,^ sprung
out

generous

glad,unthanked

Hnen-bleacher,poor
Fed

So

your

173

the oft refilled

drained

Revived
To

POET-BEGGAR

done

so

I write
well.

174

THE

And

POET-BEGGAK

thoughat

Will

last the muffled

beat the end

of

earthlydays,

Throughout the cyclesyet to
My

'

Han-Sin

State

was

annexed

by

time

flax.

Afterwards

was

Liu-Pang,the

suffered

he became

by

a

and
flax-bleacher,

; he

gave

her

princeof Han,
of the

Dynasty.
for

bleached

who

woman

the commander

then

T'sin

whose

great poverty, and

poor

founder of the Han

his ancestral domain

a

the founder

befriended

come

speak your praise.

gi'andsonof

Han-Sin

some

of

the

was

early life

In

shall

verse

drum

of the armies

Dynasty,and regained

sought

out his

the
friend,

1,000 piecesof gold.

P

:^
'^/^a3AINa-3

UNIVERSITY

OF

CALIFORNIA

Los
This book is DUE

NOV

on

LIBRARY

Angeles

the last date

stampedbelow.

pa

0^^^^^
?

4WKAP^0

3

1995

;mp

il

i

^