The Jade Flute: Chinese Poems in Prose
Date: 2014-10-03T00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Chinese poetry -- Translations into English

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Title: The Jade Flute: Chinese Poems in Prose

Author: Various

Translator: Anonymous

Release date: October 3, 2014 [eBook #47036]
Most recently updated: October 24, 2024

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE JADE FLUTE: CHINESE POEMS IN PROSE ***

THE
JADE
FLUTE

CHINESE
POEMS
IN
PROSE

PETER PAUPER PRESS
MOUNT VERNON
NEW YORK

COPYRIGHT
©
1960
BY THE
PETER
PAUPER
PRESS

THE
JADE
FLUTE
· · ·
CHINESE
POEMS
IN
PROSE

4

5

CONTENTMENT

WHEN YOU ASK WHY I DWELL HERE DOCILE
AMONG THE FAR GREEN HILLS, I LAUGH
IN MY HEART. MY HEART IS HAPPY.

THE PEACH-BLOSSOM WATCHES THE RIVER RUNNING
BUT REMAINS CONTENT. THERE IS A BETTER
HEAVEN AND EARTH THAN THE BUSY WORLD OF
MEN. [Li Po]

I HAVE SEEN A ROAD

I HAVE SEEN A ROAD THAT WANDERS IN GREEN
SHADE, THAT RUNS THROUGH SWEET FIELDS OF
FLOWERS. MY EYES HAVE TRAVELED THERE, AND
JOURNEYED FAR ALONG THAT COOL FINE ROAD.

BUT I WILL NEVER REALLY WALK THAT ROAD; IT
DOES NOT REALLY LEAD TO WHERE SHE LIVES.

WHEN SHE WAS BORN, THEY BOUND HER LITTLE
FEET WITH LEATHER BANDS; MY BELOVÈD NEVER
WALKS THE ROAD OF SHADE AND FLOWERS.

WHEN SHE WAS BORN, THEY BOUND HER LITTLE
HEART WITH LEATHER BANDS; MY BELOVÈD
NEVER LISTENS TO MY SONG. [Anonymous]

6

FLOATING NARCISSUS

FADED NARCISSUS, FLOATING DOWN THE RIVER
TO TIENOUAN.... IF YOU SEE THERE A YOUNG
GIRL DREAMING, UNDER A CINNAMON TREE THAT
HAS BLOSSOMED TWICE SINCE WE EMBRACED,
TELL HER ... I SMELL A FRESH CARNATION TO
REMEMBER HER PERFUME. [Wan Ts’u]

THE FRIENDS

YOU RODE A YELLOW HORSE, I RODE A WHITE
ONE.... HORSES TWO COLORS, BUT OUR BOYISH
HEARTS WERE ONE.

WE RODE TOGETHER THROUGH THE COUNTRY, A
PAIR OF PRANCING PEACOCKS ... OUR JEWELED
LONG SWORDS SHINING IN THE SUN, OUR TALL
HEADDRESSES SCARLET, AND OUR PRECIOUS FURS
WORTH THOUSANDS ... WE WERE GUESTS OF
ALL FIVE ORDERS OF NOBILITY.

NOW, MY FIERCE TIGER FRIEND HAS CRASHED
INTO A TRAP. IT IS FINE TO FACE FATE NOBLY ...
BUT IF MY BRAVE COMRADE IS IN DANGER,
WHAT PLEASURE CAN I FIND IN BEING FREE AND
HAPPY? [Li Po]

7

A NEGLECTED WIFE

A WINDOW OPENS AND A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
LOOKS OUT. HER EYES ARE WET AS SHE LOOKS
AT GRASS TURNING GREEN BEFORE HER HOUSE,
AT WILLOWS IN NEW LEAF ALONG THE RIVER.
IN TIMES PAST, WHEN SHE LOOKED OUT, SHE
SANG.

WHEN YOU OWN A TREASURE YOU MUST KNOW
HOW TO KEEP IT. MY FRIEND, YOURS HAS TWO
BEAUTIFUL LEGS: BE CAREFUL, OR IT WILL RUN
AWAY! [Mei Chang]

THE POET AND THE DANCERS

HERE, DAY AND NIGHT, THE PRETTIEST WOMEN
OF THE EMPIRE ARE DANCING ... SONGS AND
LAUGHTER ECHO FROM THE GOLDEN SCREENS.

WHEN ALL THE OTHERS ARE OVERCOME WITH
DRINKING, I PUT DOWN MY WINE. I TAKE MY
BRUSH, I WET THE GOLDEN INK, AND I WRITE
SAD POEMS WITH SWAYING CHARACTERS THAT
LOOK LIKE THESE ROSY BODIES STREWN ON A
MARBLE FLOOR. [Chang Wu-chien]

8

I WILL BE ALONE

THIS LAKE AT KUEN-MING, HOW WONDROUS IT
WAS IN THE DAYS OF HAN! THEN IT FLOATED A
PARADE OF PROUD WAR-JUNKS GAY WITH FLAGS
... NOW IT IS ONLY A BARE MIRROR AT NIGHT
FOR THE SPINNING BOY ... THAT STAR-BOY WHO
DOES NOT FLEE FROM COLD.

BLACK SEED-PODS FROM THE KOUMI BLOW ON
IT NOW. THERE ARE LILIES AND LOTUS-FLOWERS
TOO ... BUT SOON THE NORTH WIND WILL RIP
AWAY THEIR LEAVES.

AND I WILL BE ALONE WITH MY UNHAPPINESS. [Tu Fu]

REMEMBER TO WEAR THEM

A SHADOW ON THE WINDOW-SCREEN.... WHO
COMES GATHERING MY FLOWERS? SHE MAY PICK
THEM IF SHE WILL, BUT WHAT WILL SHE DO
WITH THEM?

THE BEST SPRAYS ARE THERE BENEATH THE
EAVES. PICK MORE OF THESE ... AND REMEMBER,
YOU WHO GATHER FLOWERS, WEAR THEM
IN YOUR HAIR. [Chiang Chieh]

9

WILD GEESE

FAR IN THE NORTHWEST STANDS A HOUSE, HIGH
ITS TOWER IN THE CLOUDS. EMBROIDERED CURTAINS
ARE AT THE WINDOWS. THE TOWER RISES
IN THREE STEPS, AND FROM THE TOWER FLOATS
A SONG, A SAD SONG WITH A SAD LUTE PLAYING
BESIDE IT. WHO CAN THE SINGER BE?

SURELY IT IS SHE WHO HAS NO HUSBAND LEFT
TO HER, NO FATHER LEFT, NO CHILD. HER SONG
FOLLOWS THE WIND; IT RISES AND FALLS. WITH
THE SINGING, SOBBING ... GRIEF IS VICTOR OVER
HER STRONG WILL.

SHE DOES NOT SORROW THAT HER LIFE IS SAD,
BUT THAT SO FEW CAN UNDERSTAND THE SORROW
IN HER SONG. O, TO FLY LIKE THOSE TWO
WILD GEESE, RISING WITH BEATING WINGS! [Anonymous]

CONTENTMENT

LAZILY WAVING A WHITE-FEATHERED FAN I LIE
NAKED ... A GREEN DELL IN THE MOUNTAINS.
I HANG MY HAT ON A JUTTING ROCK ... I COOL
MY HEAD WITH PINEY AIR. [Li Po]

10

TO THE EMPEROR

WITH THIS I SEND A MIRROR ... IT IS PURE ROUND
AND IT IS CLEAR WHITE, TO REMIND YOU OF THE
MOON WE GAZED AT WHEN WE WERE LAST TOGETHER
IN THE GARDEN.

MAY IT ALWAYS STAY WITH YOU, AND MAY IT
STIR SWEET MEMORIES.

BUT I KNOW: BY AUTUMN YOU WILL CAST IT
ASIDE FOR SOMETHING NEW, AS YOU HAVE CAST
ASIDE ITS LOVING SENDER. [The emperor’s favorite, Pan Tie tsu]

WHEN THE SWALLOWS RETURNED

WHEN THE SWALLOWS RETURNED LAST YEAR
THEY MADE THEIR NEST IN THE EMBROIDERY
ROOM. THEY GATHERED CLAY FROM THE FLOWER-GARDEN,
AND SCATTERED DUST OVER HARP AND
BOOKS.

WHEN THE SWALLOWS RETURNED THIS YEAR,
NO ONE HEARD THEIR TWITTERING SPEECH. SHE
WHO HAD ROLLED UP THE SCREEN FOR THEM
WAS THERE NO MORE.... IN THE AMBER TWILIGHT
A SOFT-PATTERING RAIN. [Hsin Ch’i-chi]

11

THE WORLD AROUND US

DREAD LORD, DO NOT WAVE YOUR SCEPTER: IT
IS BEJEWELED. DEAR DANCER, DO NOT WHIRL
YOUR SCARVES: THEY ARE ORCHID-FLOWERED.
PALE POET, DO NOT FLAUNT YOUR HEART: IT IS
RADIANT WITH LOVE.

OUR WORLD CARES ONLY FOR UNENCHANTED
THINGS. [Li Po]

YOUNG GIRLS OF OLD

IN A TINY GROVE WITH FLOWERS EVERYWHERE,
YOUNG GIRLS OF DAYS GONE BY SIT LOOKING IN
THEIR MIRRORS.

THEY SAY: “SOMETIMES WE THINK THAT WE
HAVE GROWN OLD, THAT OUR HAIR IS WHITE AND
OUR EYES NO LONGER CLEAR AS THE NEW MOON....
BUT IT IS NOT TRUE! OUR MIRRORS ARE BEWITCHED
WITH WINTER, AND THEY LIE! IT IS
THE MIRRORS THAT MAKE OUR HAIR LIKE SNOW
AND WRINKLE OUR YOUNG FACES! BUT WICKED
WINTER CAN BEWITCH OUR MIRRORS ONLY, NOT
OURSELVES.... FOREVER, WE ARE UNCHANGED.” [Wang Chang-ling]

12

THE MINIATURE PAVILION

HERE IS THE LITTLE LAKE, HERE THE LITTLE
PAVILION OF WHITE PORCELAIN. THE TINY JADE
BRIDGE CURVES ... THE BACK OF A CROUCHING
LION.

BOON COMPANIONS GATHER IN THE MINIATURE
HALL. THEY CHATTER AND DRINK WINE.... THEY
STARE AT THE FLICKERING REFLECTIONS OF
PEONIES THAT LINE THE BANK. SOME OF THE
COMPANIONS, LONG SLEEVES PUSHED BACK,
CAPS LOW OVER EYES, ARE WRITING POEMS.

THE ARCH OF THE BRIDGE IS A CRESCENT MOON....
THE REFLECTED PEONIES A COMPANY OF
DANCING GIRLS. [Li Po]

PICKING THE LOTUS

THE HARVEST MOON IS BURNING THE WATERS
OF SOUTH LAKE. DRIFTING ALONE, I LEAN DOWN
TO PICK WHITE LOTUS LILIES.

FIERCE DESIRE PULLS ME.... I YEARN TO TELL
THEM OF MY PASSION. ALAS, MY BOAT FLOATS
AWAY AT MERCY OF THE MOVING CURRENT. MY
HEART LOOKS BACK IN SADNESS. [Li Po]

13

14

A FLUTE AT NIGHT

HERE ON THE FAR SOUTHERN BORDER THE SAND
BELOW THE MOUNTAIN LIES LIKE A FIELD OF
SNOW, THE MOONLIGHT IS LIKE FROST ALONG
THE CITY-WALL. SOMEONE SOMEWHERE PLAYING
ON HIS FLUTE HAS MADE THE NORTHERN
SOLDIERS HOMESICK ALL NIGHT LONG. [Li Yi]

WATCHING AND WONDERING

HIGH ON A HILL, LOOKING DOWN ON THE WINDY
LAKE. SEE: A LITTLE ROCKING BOAT, STORM-TOSSED
LIKE OUR LIFE TOGETHER. NOW MIST
HAS HIDDEN BOAT AND JOURNEY.

OVER THE MIST THE SUN SETS FAR OFF IN
HEAVEN. ONLY HILLS ARE RED: FIELD, HOLLOW
AND LAKE ARE BLUE WITH SHADOW.

NOW ISLANDS IN THE LAKE ARE BLACK PEARLS
SET IN AMETHYST. NOW THAT WOODED HILL,
A HEAD OF WAVING WOMAN’S HAIR, IS BLACK.
AND SEE, A CRESCENT COMB OF SILVER MOON.

SAD AND HAPPY, I PICK UP MY LUTE AND SING
UNTIL THE STARS GROW PALE. [Tsiang-Tien]

15

BEST HAPPINESS OF ALL

I AM OLD AND I AM BORED. I WAS NEVER VERY
WISE AND MY MIND HAS NEVER WALKED MUCH
FURTHER THAN MY FEET. ONLY MY FOREST, MY
FOREST ... I GO BACK AND BACK TO WANDER
THERE.

THERE BLUE FINGERS OF THE MOON STILL PLAY
ON MY OLD LUTE. THERE WIND SCATTERS CLOUDS
AND COMES DOWN TO FLUTTER MY ROBE.

YOU ASK ME WHAT IS THE BEST HAPPINESS OF
ALL? IN THE FOREST IT IS SWEET TO HEAR A GIRL
SINGING ON THE PATH, AFTER SHE HAS STOPPED
TO ASK HER WAY, AND THANKED YOU WITH A
SMILE. [Wang-Wei]

THE BLUE ROBE

BRING ME NO MORE FLOWERS. BRING ME ONLY
CYPRESS BOUGHS TO SHROUD MY FACE.

AFTER SUNSET IN THE MOUNTAINS, I WILL PUT
ON MY BLUE ROBE WITH LONG SLEEVES, AND GO
OUT TO SLEEP AMONG THE BAMBOOS THAT SHE
LOVED. [Tu Fu]

16

THE ASHES OF MY HOUSE

WHEN I RETURNED TO THE HOUSE WHERE I HAD
BEEN A HAPPY CHILD ... ONLY A PILE OF ASHES
WHERE IT HAD STOOD.

I WEPT LONG, AND TO FORGET MY WEEPING, I
SAILED OUT ON THE VAST CALM SEA. ON THESE
WATERS, IN A STAR-SAPPHIRE NIGHT, I PLAYED
MY FLUTE TO THE SUMMER MOON ... MY GRIEF
MY MELODY. BUT THE MOON, A WOMAN’S FACE,
SOON VEILED ITSELF WITH CLOUD.

I SAILED BACK TO SHORE, I WALKED AWAY FROM
THE WATERS TO THE FRIENDLY FOREST.... BUT
THERE THE TREES TOO TURNED AWAY FROM ME.
I KNEW THEN HAPPINESS WAS BURNED FOREVER
UNDER A PILE OF ASHES.

RUNNING BACK TO THE SEA, I DECIDED TO DROWN
MYSELF. BUT A WHITE BOAT SAILED ALONG THE
SHORE. A YOUNG GIRL WAS SAILING IT.

O YOU WHO SMILED AT ME THAT DAY WHEN
I WAS SUFFERING, O YOU WHO RESCUED ME
FROM GRIEF ... I WILL BUILD AGAIN THE HAPPY
HOUSE OF MY CHILDHOOD, IN YOUR HEART. [Tu Fu]

17

THE MAIDEN LO-FO

GOING TO GATHER LEAVES, LO-FO PUTS UP HER
GLEAMING HAIR. SHE PUTS A PEARL IN EACH
PEARL EAR; SHE WEARS A DRESS OF PINK AND A
DRESS OF YELLOW. HER BASKET BEARS A LITTLE
TWIST OF SILK.

ON THE SOUTH ROAD THE GOVERNOR OF THE
PROVINCE CALLS TO HIS MEN TO STOP THE
HORSES. “ASK THAT PRETTY ONE HER NAME.
FIND OUT HER AGE FOR ME.”

SAID LO-FO: “IN THE COUNTRYSIDE OF TSIN
THERE LIVES A GIRL NAMED LO-FO. SHE IS NOT
TWENTY YET, BUT NEITHER IS SHE A CHILD, FOR
SHE HAS PASSED SIXTEEN.”

THE GOVERNOR HESITATES. “ASK THE LOVELY
MAIDEN IF SHE WISHES TO COME WITH ME IN MY
CHARIOT.”

LO-FO LOWERS HER BLACK EYES. “SURELY THE
GOVERNOR HAS A WIFE IN THE SOUTH HE LOVES?
SO EVEN IN TSIN, THE MAID LO-FO HAS HER
YOUNG MAN WHOM SHE HAS PROMISED, WHOM
SHE LOVES.” [Anonymous]

18

LOOKING INTO MIST

THE ASHES LIE CHILL AND GRAY IN THE GOLDEN
BRAZIER. MY COVERLETS ROLL IN RED WAVES AS
I TOSS IN MY BED. I THROW THEM OFF AWAY
FROM ME; THEY FLOAT DOWN LIKE WAVES ON
THE FLOOR. BUT I HAVE NO STRENGTH TO RISE
AND BRUSH OUT MY LONG HAIR; EVEN THE JADE
COMB IS TOO HEAVY FOR MY HAND. LET THE
DUST SETTLE ON MY DRESSING-TABLE, DULLING
MY GLEAMING BOTTLES.

NOW THE SUN BEGINS TO GLITTER THROUGH MY
CURTAINS. ITS RISING WILL CAST BITTER SHADOWS
OF SORROW IN MY HEART. I WISH TO SPEAK,
I WANT TO CRY OUT; BUT FROM MY THROAT I
CRUSH BACK MY CRIES INTO MY HEART. THIS IS
NEW FOR ME, PAIN WHICH COMES NOT FROM
TOO MUCH WINE, NOR FROM THE SADNESS OF
APPROACHING AUTUMN.

NO, IT IS OVER NOW AND FINISHED. TODAY HE
GOES AWAY. EVEN IF I SANG THE SWEET STAY-BY-ME
SONG TO HIM TEN THOUSAND TIMES, HE
WOULD NOT STAY. MY THOUGHTS MUST TRAVEL
THE LONG ROAD TO THE SOUTH COUNTRY: HIS
COUNTRY, VERY FAR AWAY.

SEE THE MIST AROUND MY PAVILION: BEFORE MY 19 EYES THERE IS MIST ALL ABOUT. IT IS THE IMAGE
OF MY SADNESS, THE REFLECTION OF MY DULL,
STILL EYES. FOREVER WILL MY DULL EYES STARE
AT YOU, PALE MIST, MY EYES THAT NEVER WILL
LIGHT UP AGAIN. [Li Yi-hang]

THE WILLOW LEAF

THAT MAIDEN, DREAMING AT HER WINDOW-LEDGE,
LEANING ON HER SOFT WHITE ARMS ...
I DO NOT LOVE HER FOR HER GREAT MANSION ON
THE SHORE OF THE YELLOW RIVER. I LOVE HER
BECAUSE SHE HAS LET FALL, FLOATING DOWN
INTO THE STREAM, A LITTLE WILLOW LEAF.

I DO NOT LOVE THE EAST WIND BECAUSE IT CARRIES
TO ME THE SCENT OF THOSE PEACH-TREES
THAT ARE LIKE SNOW ON THE MOUNTAINS. I
LOVE IT BECAUSE IT HAS CARRIED THE LITTLE
WILLOW LEAF TO MY BOAT.

AND THE LITTLE WILLOW LEAF ... I DO NOT
LOVE IT BECAUSE IT REMINDS ME THAT SOFT
SPRING HAS COME AGAIN. I LOVE IT BECAUSE THE
DREAMING MAIDEN HAS PICKED A NAME ON IT
WITH HER NEEDLE, AND BECAUSE THAT NAME IS
MINE. [Chan Tiu-lin]

20

AN UNHAPPY TIME

THE HOURS PASS.... THE PHOENIX FLIES AND
FLIES FROM HOME. STARLINGS AND SPARROWS
BUILD THEIR NESTS IN THE ALTAR OF OUR ANCESTRAL
HALL. MAGNOLIAS REACH OUT THEIR
TENDRILS.... THE JUNGLE SEIZES THEM, THEY
PERISH ENTANGLED. RANCID SMELLS DRIVE OUT
SWEET FRAGRANCES. EVERYWHERE THE EVIL
PRINCIPLE HAS DISPOSSESSED THE GOOD.

THIS IS THE TIME OF BADNESS.... LOYAL, BUT IN
DESPAIR, I BEGIN MY JOURNEYS OF EXILE. [Chu Yuan]

THE SHADOW OF A LEAF

ALONE IN HER ROOM A GIRL EMBROIDERS SILKEN
FLOWERS. SHE HEARS A FLUTE AFAR. SHE
SHIVERS ... DREAMING A YOUNG MAN IS SINGING
TO HER OF HIS LOVE.

FROM THE SUNLIGHT SLANTING THROUGH THE
PAPER WINDOW, THE SHADOW OF AN ORANGE-LEAF
FALLS ON HER BREAST. SHE CLOSES HER
EYES ... DREAMING A YOUNG MAN’S HAND IS
OPENING HER ROBE. [Ting Tun-ling]

21

22

A LOYAL WIFE

YOUR LORDSHIP, I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE TWO
PEARLS YOU OFFER ME, BUT I TREMBLE WITH
UNCERTAINTY. WHAT SHALL I SAY?... I SAY
TO YOU: I AM MARRIED AND HAVE SWORN TO BE
FAITHFUL TO MY HUSBAND.

PERHAPS YOU DO NOT KNOW THAT THE COLORS
OF MY FAMILY HANG IN THE ROYAL PARK? PERHAPS
YOU DO NOT KNOW THAT MY HUSBAND IS
HONORARY LANCER IN THE PALACE?

I THINK YOU ARE SINCERE; I THINK YOU ARE
HONORABLE. THEREFORE I HAVE PUT YOUR
PEARLS AGAINST MY ROBE, AND I HAVE LOOKED
AT THEM, AND SMILED. BUT TAKE THEM NOW
AGAIN. PERHAPS YOU WILL TAKE THESE TWO
TEARS AS WELL?

AH, WHY DID I NOT KNOW YOU THREE YEARS
AGO THIS SPRING? [Tchang Tsi]

THE EMPEROR WALKS

RECLINING IN THE GOLDEN CHAIR THE SON OF
THE SKY IS BRIGHT AMONG HIS COUNSELORS.
HIS JEWELS SHINE.... HE IS FULL SUN WITHIN 23 SURROUNDING STARS. THE COUNSELORS SPEAK
GRAVELY OF GRAVE THINGS, BUT THE EMPEROR’S
MIND IS AWAY, AWAY.

IN A PAVILION ALL PORCELAIN SHE SITS AMONG
HER MAIDENS ... BRIGHT LILY AMONG PLAIN
LEAVES. HER FAN FLOATS BACK AND FORTH
WEARILY LIKE A WAVING LEAF. HER LORD STAYS
TOO LONG AWAY.

PERFUME IS ON THE BREEZE ... AN OPEN WINDOW
IN THE COUNCIL-ROOM. THE EMPEROR
DREAMS: SHE IS FANNING ME THE FLAVOR OF
HER LIPS. HE RISES, GLITTERING WITH JEWELS,
AND SLOWLY WALKS, WALKS TO THE PORCELAIN
PAVILION. THE GRAVE COUNSELORS ARE LEFT,
LOOKING AT EACH OTHER IN SUDDEN SILENCE. [Tu Fu]

THE ENCOUNTER

THEY MET. THEIR EYES MET IN SHINING DUST
AT THE CAPITAL. HE RAISED HIS RIDING-CROP IN
GOLDEN GREETING. “OF ALL THOSE TEN THOUSAND
HOUSES BY THE WILLOWED RIVER, FAIR
SWEET LADY, WHICH IS THE LITTLE ONE YOU
CALL HOME?” [Li Po]

24

THE BREATH OF SPRING

THE BREATH OF SPRING IS EVERYWHERE, IN
EVERY FACE. THE MIMOSA CASTS ITS DELICATE
SHADOWS ... MY DREAMS ARE BUTTERFLIES ...
THE FRAGRANCE OF THE QUINCE INTOXICATES
LIKE WINE.

BUT I PLUCK THE WILLOW OF SORROW. A GULF
DIVIDES US, AND THERE IS NO FAIRY BRIDGE OF
BIRDS TO CARRY ME ACROSS.

I WEEP ALONE BEFORE MY SILVER LAMP AND
GROW FRAIL AS HSIAO YAN THE SLENDER BEAUTY.
WHEN SHALL WE SHARE A NIGHT LIKE THIS, A
SPRING NIGHT LIKE THIS, AND MEET TOGETHER
UNDER A FULL MOON? [Anonymous]

JADE FLOWER PALACE

HERE BY THE WINDING STREAMLET, AMONG THE
SIGHING WINDS, OLD GRAY MICE SCURRY OVER
THE ROOF-TILES. NO ONE ANY MORE REMEMBERS
THE PRINCE’S NAME WHO BUILT THIS PALACE
UNDER OVERHANGING CLIFFS.

IN DARKENED ROOMS YOU CAN SEE GREEN GHOST
FIRES ... FROM THE FLUTES OF THE FOREST YOU 25 CAN HEAR A THOUSAND VOICES. THE YOUNG
PALACE LADIES OF LONG AGO ARE IN THEIR
YELLOW GRAVES ... THEN WHY ARE PAINTED
SCROLLS STILL HANGING ON THE WALL? THE
CHARIOTEERS AND THEIR GOLD CHARIOTS ARE
CRUMBLED ... THEN WHY ARE STONE HORSES,
CARVED IN OLDEN DAYS, STANDING YET?

SADNESS SITS ON THE GRASS. I SING THE STORY,
BUT I AM HEAVY WITH SORROW ... AMONG ALL
THESE PATHS THAT WE MAY WALK ALONG INTO
THE DISTANCE, WHICH ONE WILL EVER CARRY
US TO LIFE FOREVER? [Tu Fu]

WINE-FLASK AT SUNSET

SPRING FRAGRANCES, AND LEVEL SUN-SHAFTS,
COME SIFTING THROUGH MY SHUTTERS. NOW
COMES THE SUPPER-HOUR WHEN BOATMEN
BOIL THEIR RICE ON THE RIVER. IN THE GARDEN
SPARROWS ARE TWITTERING ... ON THE ROAD
A CHARIOT-WHEEL IS GRATING.

NOW FOR THE WINE-FLASK. LET MY TROUBLES
FLY AWAY ... JOINING THE INSECTS A-BUZZ IN
THE LATE-SUN GARDEN. [Tu Fu]

26

WHEN THE SUN ROSE ...

WHEN SHE WENT OUT TO MEET HER LOVER
UNDER THE BIG WILLOW TREE BY THE RIVER
EDGE, SHE PUT ON TWO OF HER LOVELY ROBES
TO PLEASE HIM.

WHEN THE SUN SANK BELOW THE HILLS, AND
THE NIGHT WAS DARK, THE TWO LOVERS STILL
LAY THERE, TALKING TENDERLY TOGETHER.

SUDDENLY SHE ROSE TO HER FEET, ROSY WITH
SHAME. HER THIRD ROBE, THE DARKNESS UNDER
THE WILLOW, HAD FALLEN OFF WITH DAWN.... [Li Chuang-chia]

GOING TO MARKET

THE LITTLE SERVANT-BOY ... TYING THE FEET
OF THE CHICKEN HE WILL TAKE TO MARKET.
THE CHICKEN FLUTTERS IN HIS HANDS, AND
SQUAWKS WITH FRIGHT.

MY FATHER STARES WITHOUT FEELINGS. MY
MOTHER TURNS AWAY HER HEAD. A SPARROW
OVERHEAD IS ACTING SO DELIGHTED ... MAYBE
SOME EXTRA GRAIN FOR HIM? [Tu Fu]

27

LIKE A CORMORANT

THE CORMORANT STANDS STILL, THINKING, ALL
ALONE AT THE RIVER’S EDGE. HIS STARING EYE
FOLLOWS THE CHANGING WATERS.

WHEN STROLLERS COME TOO CLOSE TO HIM,
BALANCING HIS LONG NECK HE FLAPS AWAY,
WAITING IN THE TALL REEDS TILL THE INTRUDERS
PASS ... WISHING TO STARE AGAIN AT THE
UNDULATIONS OF THE STREAM.

AND AT DUSK, WHEN THE MOON IS RIPPLING ON
THE WAVES, THE CORMORANT STILL STANDS,
THINKING, WITH ONE FOOT IN THE CURRENT ...
JUST SO A MAN, HIS HEART BURNING WITH
PASSION, STARES AT THE UNDULATIONS OF HIS
DREAM. [Su Tong po]

TROUBLED WATERS

THE AUTUMN MOON IS DANCING IN THE GREEN
WATERS OF LAKE NAN-HOU. NOW THE SOUND OF
MY OARS HAS TROUBLED THE LOVE-SONG OF
WHITE WATER-LILIES SINGING TO THE MOON. [Li Po]

28

CAPTIVITY

IN THE OLD DAYS, IN THE PALACE HUNG WITH
PAINTED SCROLLS, IT WAS A GOOD LIFE FOR ME.
INCENSE BURNED WHERE I WALKED, SILK CUSHIONS
WERE SCATTERED WHERE I SLEPT, MUSICIANS
PLAYED ABOUT ME ... I LOOKED OUT ON
GARDENS WITH PATHS OF CORAL PEBBLES.

NOW, PRISONER IN THIS COLD FORTRESS, I HEAR
ONLY FRIGHTENING CALLS FROM THE WATCHMAN,
SILLY CRIES FROM MONKEYS PLAYING ON
BARE ROCKS IN MOONLIGHT.

FEAR SHAKES ME. MY GUTS ARE EMPTIED OF
COURAGE. IF ONLY I COULD SEE THE LIGHTS OF
THE CAPITAL! ... BUT ALL I CAN SEE ARE STARS
ABOVE IT.

I SIT ON THE STONE FORTRESS WALL ... THERE,
WINDS BRING SCENT OF ALMOND BLOSSOMS FROM
TREES BEYOND MY SIGHT. [Tu Fu]

BE CAREFUL

TAKE CARE, BE FEARFUL, NIGHT AND DAY LOOK
SHARP ... WE DO NOT STUMBLE ON MOUNTAINS,
BUT ON CLODS, AND FALL. [Anonymous]

29

30

AUTUMN OF ALL GOOD THINGS

OUT ON THE MOUNTAIN-SIDES, WHIRLING DEAD
LEAVES ARE ABROAD. COME WITH ME, UP HERE
ON THIS WATCH-TOWER.... HERE, AT THE SEA’S
EDGE, WE CAN WATCH GRAY CLOUDS TORN BY
WINDS, AND BE SAD TOGETHER NOW AUTUMN
HAS RETURNED.

ONCE MORE THE TARTAR HORDES ARE GATHERING
ON THE KOBI BORDER. ONCE MORE WE SEE
THE AMBASSADOR FROM HAN COME HOME, RIDING
THROUGH THE IMPERIAL GATE. BUT WILL
WE EVER SEE COME HOME ALL THE MEN THAT
WAR HAS SUMMONED? [Li Po]

THE FORMER WIFE SPEAKS

BED-CURTAIN, LONG FLAPPING IN THE BREEZE
AT NIGHT, LONG HANGING THERE TO SCREEN US
IN THE DAY! WHEN I LEFT MY FATHER’S HOUSE
I BROUGHT YOU WITH ME AND UNFOLDED YOU
WITH DELIGHT. NOW I AM TAKING YOU BACK
AGAIN. I FOLD YOU AND LAY YOU FLAT IN THIS
WOODEN BOX. BED-CURTAIN, WILL I EVER UNFOLD
YOU AND HANG YOU UP AGAIN? [Wife of Lieu Hsun]

31

FADING IN THE SPRINGTIME

THE CAREFUL KNOT OF HAIR LIES LOW UPON
HER NECK; HER LONG AND NARROW EYEBROWS
ARE PAINTED SKILLFULLY.

ALAS! FOLLOWING YOU, HER THOUGHTS ARE
WANDERING AFAR; IN THIS SEASON OF A HUNDRED
FLOWERS, SHE GROWS THIN AND PALE. [Weng T’ing-chun]

THE GIRL AT HOME

EARTH HAS SWALLOWED THE SNOW. AGAIN WE
SEE PLUM-TREES IN BLOSSOM. NEW WILLOW-LEAVES
ARE GOLD. COLD WATERS OF THE LAKE
ARE SILVER.... BUTTERFLIES POWDERED WITH
GOLD LAY VELVET HEADS TO THE HEARTS OF
FLOWERS.

IN HIS UNMOVING BOAT THE YOUNG FISHERMAN
PULLS UP HIS DRIPPING NET, MAKING RIPPLES
ON THE STILL WATER.

HE THINKS OF A GIRL AT HOME, LIKE A DARK
SWALLOW IN ITS NEST. HE THINKS OF A GIRL AT
HOME, WAITING LIKE A DARK SWALLOW FOR HER
MATE. [Li Po]

32

THE DRAGONFLY

DRAGONFLY WINGS ... SHINING SILKEN GARMENTS.
NOW MY HEART IS ACHING. WHO WILL
GIVE IT REST?

YOUNG DRAGONFLY WINGS ... RICH EMBROIDERED
GARMENTS. NOW MY HEART IS ACHING.
WHO WILL GIVE IT PEACE?

DRAGONFLY BURSTING ITS COCOON ... PLAIN
WHITE LINEN GARMENTS. NOW MY HEART IS
ACHING. WHO WILL GIVE IT LOVE? [The Book of Songs]

WE WILL GROW OLD TOGETHER

OVER AND OVER YOU SAID: “WE WILL GROW OLD
TOGETHER. TOGETHER, THE SAME TIME, YOUR
HAIR AND MY HAIR WILL TURN WHITE LIKE
SNOW, WHITE LIKE A MIDSUMMER MOON.” TODAY,
MY LORD, I HAVE HEARD THAT YOU LOVE
ANOTHER WOMAN.... WITH MY HEART BROKEN
I COME TO SAY GOODBYE.

ONE LAST TIME LET US POUR THE OLD WINE INTO
OUR TWO CUPS. ONE LAST TIME LET YOU SING
ME THE SAD SONG OF THE DEAD BIRD UNDER THE 33 SNOW.... THEN I WILL TAKE BOAT AND SAIL
DOWN THE RIVER YU CHEU, WHOSE WATERS
DIVIDE TO FLOW HALF EAST, HALF WEST.

WHY DO YOU CRY, YOUNG GIRLS ABOUT TO
MARRY? WHY DO YOU CRY? PERHAPS YOU WILL
MARRY A LOYAL MAN WITH A FAITHFUL HEART,
WHO WILL SAY TO YOU SOLEMNLY OVER AND
OVER: “WE WILL GROW OLD TOGETHER.” [Li Po]

AT HSIEN-YU TEMPLE

THE TALL CRANE WALKED OUT OF THE POOL
AND STOOD ON THE FLIGHT OF STEPS. THE MOON
DANCED OUT OF THE POOL AND ENTERED THE
OPEN DOOR.

I WAS ENTRANCED BY THIS PLACE ... I COULD
NOT LEAVE FOR TWO NIGHTS.

FORTUNATE TO FIND A PLACE SO PEACEFUL....
HAPPY NO COMPANION WAS THERE TO DRAG ME
HOME!

NOW I HAVE FOUND THIS PEACEFUL LONELINESS,
I HAVE RESOLVED TO COME HERE ONLY WITH
MYSELF. [Po Chu-i]

34

THE AUTUMN WIND

THE WIND BLOWS, THE WHITE CLOUDS RUN,
THE GRASS PALES, THE TREES FALL BARE, THE
GEESE FLY SOUTH. BUT THE ORCHIDS BLOOM,
CHRYSANTHEMUMS GIVE THEIR SCENT. I THINK
OF MY LOVELY GIRL. I MUST LEAVE HER, BUT
I CAN NOT FORGET.

I AM ROWED ACROSS THE RIVER ON MY PLEASURE
BARGE, ACROSS THE RIVER WITH WHITE WAVES
RISING. FLUTE AND DRUM AND ROWERS’ SONG GO
WITH ME. NOW THE FEASTING, NOW THE DANCING ...
BUT STILL MY HEART IS SAD AND WILL
NOT DANCE.

HOW FEW OUR YEARS OF GOLDEN YOUTH! HOW
CERTAIN OUR GRAY YEARS OF AGE! [Emperor Wu-ti]

THE END OF ALL

CLEAN THE OCTOBER WIND. CLEAR THE OCTOBER
MOON. HEAPED BROWN LEAVES ARE BLOWING ...
A BLACK RAVEN FLIES FROM ITS ICY ROOST.

I DREAM OF YOU. WILL EVER I SEE YOU AGAIN?
AH, NIGHT OF SORROWING HEART! [Li Po]

35

WAITING ON THE TOWER

HERE THE MOON FLOATS BRIGHT OVER HEAVEN’S
MOUNTAIN; IT SAILS ON A WHITE-CLOUD OCEAN.
FIVE THOUSAND MILES AWAY A SHRILL WIND’S
SCREAMING ... AND COLD IS WHISTLING FROM
YU-MEN PASS.

THE EMPEROR’S SOLDIERS MARCH DOWN WHITE
MOUND ROAD. TARTARS SEARCH THE INLETS OF
THE BLUE SEA. SOLDIERS MAY TURN THEIR
HEADS, THINKING OF HOME, BUT AT HOME WE
NEVER SEE A RETURNING SOLDIER.

SHE IS STANDING ON THE WATCH-TOWER AGAIN
TONIGHT. SORROW AND SADNESS WITHOUT END
... IS ALL. [Li Po]

THE WOMEN OF PA

UP HERE AT PA, THE RIVER SHOOTS LIKE FLYING
ARROWS. LET A BOAT BE CAUGHT AND IT’S SWEPT
OFF A THOUSAND MILES BEFORE THE CURRENT
QUIETS DOWN.

O YOU WOMEN OF PA! HOW LUCKY FOR US YOUR
HUSBANDS MUST POLE UP THIS MIGHTY RIVER
TO GET HOME! [Li Po]

36

THE UNREWARDED POET

HERE SIT I ON A HARD WOOD BOX, STENCILED
BLACK WITH THE NAME OF A SELLER OF SUGAR.
THIS TABLE IS SO DIRTY ... EVEN IF I HAD FOOD,
I COULD NOT EAT IT HERE.

THEN HOW CAN I WRITE OF WINE SPRINKLED
WITH VIOLETS, SO YOU MAY DRINK WITH DELIGHT?
HOW CAN I PROMISE: I WILL DECORATE
YOUR BLUE DRESS WITH GLITTERING EMERALD
JEWELS? HOW CAN I OFFER YOU A PERFECT PEAR
OF GOLDEN AMBER? OR POUR PERFUMES IN A
CARVED BOWL OF ROSY QUARTZ, SO YOU MAY DIP
IN IT THE POINTED TIPS OF THOSE BELOVÈD PALE
FINGERS? [J. Wing]

TO HIS DEAD LOVER

THE SWISHING SOUND OF SILK IS STILL. THE DUST
GATHERS ON MARBLE FLOORS. THE ROOM IS HOLLOW,
COLD AND SILENT. LEAVES HAVE DRIFTED
AGAINST THE DOORS.

LONGING FOR THAT LOST SWEET GIRL, I WONDER
HOW TO LULL MY ACHING HEART TO REST. [Li Fu-jen]

37

38

TO THE HERMIT CHENG

I HEAR YOU HAVE COME HERE TO LIVE FOR GOOD
... HERE BY THE LONELY GATE, AMONG THE
BURIAL MOUNDS, ENCLOSED BY TALL BAMBOO
GROVES.

I HAVE COME NOW TO ASK A FAVOR: WILL YOU
LEND ME YOUR OLD GARDEN, TO USE FOR LOOKING
AT THE HILL? [Po Chu-i]

NON-BEING

JOIN THE SPOKES TOGETHER TO MAKE A WHEEL.
A WHEEL IS FULL OF OPENNESS ... NON-BEING.
BUT IT IS NECESSARY.

SPIN WET CLAY TO SHAPE A COOKING-POT. A
COOKING-POT IS EMPTY ... FULL OF NON-BEING.
BUT IT IS NECESSARY.

WORK A SAW TO CUT OUT DOOR AND WINDOWS.
DOOR AND WINDOWS ARE HOLES ... NON-BEING.
BUT THEY ARE NECESSARY.

TO HAVE BEING IS GOOD. BUT ALSO IT IS NECESSARY
TO HAVE NON-BEING ... NOTHINGNESS. [The Way of Virtue]

39

ETERNITY

THE HEAVEN ENDURES FOREVER AND THE EARTH
IS ETERNAL. WHY ARE HEAVEN AND EARTH ENDURING
AND ETERNAL? BECAUSE THEY DO NOT
LIVE FOR THEMSELVES ... THEREFORE THEY CAN
LIVE FOREVER.

THE WISE MAN DESIRES TO BE FORGOTTEN, BUT
HE IS REMEMBERED. HE DESIRES TO BE FREE OF
LIFE, BUT HE RETAINS IT. HE DESIRES NOTHING
FOR HIMSELF, BUT HE FINDS EVERYTHING HE
WANTS. [The Way of Virtue]

THE WAY OF THE WAY

IF YOU FOLLOW THE WAY, YOU MAY TRAVEL ALL
OVER THE EMPIRE WITHOUT HARM. YOU WILL
FIND PEACE AND YOU WILL FIND QUIETNESS.

PERHAPS YOU WILL PAUSE FOR MUSIC AND
STRANGE FOODS ... NO HARM TO ENJOY THEM.

BUT THE WAY ITSELF HAS NO FLAVOR, THE WAY
ITSELF HAS NO SOUND, THE WAY ITSELF CANNOT
BE SEEN ... BUT USE IT: IT IS NEVER ENDING. [The Way of Virtue]

40

AWAY WITH PHILOSOPHERS

AWAY WITH PHILOSOPHERS, AWAY WITH SAGES.
PEOPLE WILL BE A HUNDREDFOLD WISER....
AWAY WITH CHARITY, AWAY WITH VIRTUE. PEOPLE
WILL RETURN TO GOODNESS AND KINDNESS....
AWAY WITH PROFITS, AWAY WITH SKILLS.
PEOPLE WILL BE FREE OF ROBBERS AND THIEVES.

IF THESE THREE REFORMS ARE NOT ENOUGH,
THEN LET ALL MEN SIMPLY GAZE ON PLAINNESS,
CHERISH UNCARVED BLOCKS OF STONE, FORGO
THE “I,” AND FREE THEMSELVES FROM ALL
DESIRE. [The Way of Virtue]

NOT IN REPAYMENT

HE GAVE ME A QUINCE. THEN I GAVE HIM A
CARVED JADE ... NOT TO PAY HIM BACK, BUT
TO MAKE OUR LOVE LONG-LASTING.

HE GAVE ME A PEACH. THEN I GAVE HIM AN
EMERALD ... NOT TO PAY HIM BACK, BUT TO
MAKE OUR LOVE LONG-LASTING.

HE GAVE ME A PLUM. THEN I GAVE HIM A BLACK
JADE ... NOT TO PAY HIM BACK, BUT TO MAKE
OUR LOVE LONG-LASTING. [The Book of Songs]

41

WAITING FOR YOU

OVER THE PASS OF THE WESTERN MOUNTAINS
TRAVELS THE EVENING SUN; THE HILL-FOLDS
GATHER THEIR DEEP DARK; THE MOON LIGHTS
UP COLD IN ITS TWISTED PINE-BRANCH; THE
LITTLE BROOK SINGS COLD, AND THE COLD WIND
SIGHS; THE WOOD CUTTERS ALL HAVE CARRIED
THEIR BUNDLES HOME; THE WHEELING BIRDS
ARE SETTLED IN THEIR TREES.

THE HOUR IS PAST THAT YOU PROMISED YOU
WOULD COME. MY LUTE IS STILL ... LEANING
AMONG THE VINES, WAITING IN THE COLD GLEN
AMONG THE VINES. [Mêng Hai jan]

DRAGON OF THE SHORELESS SEA

OH DRAGON, RULER OF THE SHORELESS SEA OF
DEATH, CARRY AWAY MY BELOVÈD, WHILE, LEANING
OVER HER WITH PASSION, I DRINK IN HER
PERFUMED BREATH.

CARRY HER AWAY IN YOUR SHIP OF GHOSTS,
AND CARRY ME AWAY WITH HER ... THAT WE
MAY FLOAT FOREVER TOGETHER ON THAT SEA,
DRUNKEN WITH LOVE. [Li Hung-chang]

42

THE WIND-TORN ROOF

IN THE EIGHTH-MOON OF AUTUMN, WITH A
VICIOUS HOWLING, WIND TORE THREE LAYERS
OF THATCH FROM MY POOR ROOF.

FLYING OVER THE RIVER THE THATCH RAINED
ON THE EMBANKMENT, TANGLED IN THE TREES,
WHIRLED AFAR TO SINK AND SETTLE IN THE
MARSHES.

A SWARM OF BOYS FROM THE VILLAGE LAUGHED
AT ME BECAUSE I AM FEEBLE. O INSOLENCE!
STEALING MY THATCH AND CARRYING IT OFF TO
PLAY WITH IN THE BAMBOO GROVE! I SCREAMED
AT THEM WITH A DRY TONGUE ... BUT THEY
LAUGHED AT ME AND I CAME HOME SIGHING.

THEN THE WIND STOPPED, THE CLOUDS TURNED
DARK, AND NIGHT CAME ON LIKE INK. MY OLD
COTTON QUILT WAS COLD AS IRON ... MY SWEET
SON TOSSED IN HIS SLEEP, BARE FEET STICKING
THROUGH THE BLANKET ... RAIN CAME
THROUGH THE ROOF TILL THERE WAS NOT A
DRY INCH IN BED.

LIKE STRINGS OF WAX THE RAIN HUNG DOWN ...
ALL THESE DISASTERS OF WAR HANG DOWN AND
KEEP US FROM PEACEFUL REST.

43

I DREAM OF A GREAT HOUSE WITH TEN THOUSAND
ROOMS. THERE ALL COLD CREATURES CAN
TAKE SHELTER, WITH BRIGHT FACES, OUT OF
THE RAIN, OUT OF THE WIND, SAFE IN A HOUSE
SOLID AS A MOUNTAIN.

AH, WHEN SHALL I EVER SEE SUCH A HOUSE?
COULD I EVER SEE IT ... AH, THOUGH THE WIND
TORE DOWN MY HUT ENTIRELY, THOUGH I FROZE
TO DEATH IN THE STORM, THEN SHOULD I DIE
HAPPY. [Tu Fu]

THE STARTLED PLUMS FALL DOWN

THE CLOUDS ARE SOFT, THE WILLOWS DELICATE
... HER HAIR IS FRESHLY DRESSED. SHE PLACES
THE FLUTE UPON HER LIPS, AND AS THE SUNSET
FADES AND DUSK SETTLES, SHE PLAYS BENEATH
THE PALE MOON.

A FRESHLY-OPENED CHERRY BUD ... HER LIPS
UPON THE FLUTE. SHE LEANS IN THE CORNER OF
THE BALCONY: THE NIGHT IS CHILL, HER SILKEN
ROBES ARE THIN, HER FINGERS COLD ... BUT
MUSIC FLOATS THROUGH FROSTY WOODS AND
STARTLED PLUMS FALL PATTERING DOWN. [Chang Hsien]

44

WEEP NOT, YOUNG WOMEN

IT IS ALWAYS SAD AUTUMN WHEN OUR ENEMIES
SWEEP DOWN THEIR RAIDERS FROM THE MOUNTAINS
TO INVADE US.

THE TRUMPETS SUMMON THE WARRIORS! THEY
WILL RIDE ON TILL THEY COME TO THE GREAT
WALL. THEN THEY WILL RIDE BEYOND IT, OUT
ON THE GREAT KOBI DESERT.

THERE, ONLY THE COLD BARE MOON. ONLY COLD
BEADS OF DEW ON SWORDS AND SHIELDS. HOW
THEY SHIVER.

WEEP NOT, YOUNG WOMEN ... THIS IS NO TIME
TO START YOUR WEEPING. WHO KNOWS HOW
LONG THAT YOU MUST WEEP? [Li Po]

BEFORE AND AFTER

LOOKING BACKWARD ... I CANNOT SEE THE
ANCIENTS OF DAYS. LOOKING FORWARD ... I CANNOT
SEE AGES YET TO COME. ONLY HEAVEN AND
EARTH HAVE REMAINED, AND WILL REMAIN FOREVER ...
I AM ALONE, I GRIEVE, I DROP TEARS
INTO THE DUST. [Chen Tzu-ang]

45

46

WHY BE JEALOUS?

MY LITTLE BOAT IS MADE OF EBONY; MY FLUTE-STOPS
ARE PURE GOLD. WATER LOOSENS STAINS
FROM SILK ... WINE LOOSENS SADNESS FROM
THE HEART.

WITH GOOD WINE, A GRACEFUL BOAT, AND A
SWEET GIRL’S LOVE ... WHY BE JEALOUS OF
MERE GODS? [Li Po]

A LADY FROM AFAR

THAT NIGHT ... A NIGHT IN EARLY AUTUMN ...
WE SAILED TO THE ISLE OF PARROTS. THERE WE
GAZED AT THE ROUND MOON, AND LISTENED TO
THE WINDY PINES.

SUDDENLY WE HEARD MUSIC ... A SAD SONG
COMING ON THE WIND. THERE WAS A SINGER IN
A BOAT.

AS IT DREW NEAR US WE SAW A WOMAN, WHITE
AS SNOW, SINGING AND CRYING TOO, LEANING ON
THE MAST. MY COMPANIONS ASKED HER WHY
SHE WEPT?... WITHOUT AN ANSWER SHE LOWERED
HER HEAD, VEILING HER WHITE FACE IN
HER GOLDEN HAIR. [Pe Kin-yi]

47

TO THE DANCING-GIRL SIAO-LING

YOU CALLED FOR POEMS ABOUT TWILIGHT. EACH
TWILIGHT NOW BRINGS MEMORIES OF THE SOFT
BLUE DRESS YOU WORE ... THAT DAY IN THE
PALACE WHEN YOU READ AND JUDGED THEM.

IF MINE WAS JUDGED THE BEST ... YOU SEE,
THERE WAS A VISION OF YOU, A VISION IN BLUE
VEILS, IN THE BLUE DAWN WHEN I COULD NOT
SLEEP. SO I GOT UP FROM BED AND WROTE THE
POEM FOR YOU ...

BUT YOU SLEPT ON UNKNOWING IN THAT EARLY
DAWN. YOU DID NOT PEEP OUT FROM THE JADE
FLOWER PAVILION TO SEE ROSES BLOOMING IN
THE SKY ABOVE THE PALACE. IN THAT SAME
PALACE ONCE, FOR LOVE OF HER, WOU-TI MADE
EMPRESS A LOVELY DANCING-GIRL LIKE YOU. [Tsiang-Tien]

THE GARDEN THAT DOES NOT FADE

THESE FLOWERS OF JADE IN THEIR LITTLE BOX
... MAY YOUR NOBLE THOUGHTS, LIKE THESE
FLOWERS, BE ALWAYS INDESTRUCTIBLE AND
LOVINGLY ARRANGED. [Emperor Chien Lung]

48

PEASANT SONG

WHEN THE SUN RISES, WE GET UP TO WORK.
WHEN THE SUN SETS, WE LIE DOWN TO SLEEP.
FOR OUR WATER WE DIG OUR WELLS, FOR OUR
FOOD WE HOE OUR FIELDS. O THE EMPEROR MAY
BE GREAT AND POWERFUL, BUT WHAT IS THAT
TO US? [Anonymous]

THE POET DREAMS

NOW SAD RAINS ARE FALLING. LET US SAY NOW:
THE SKY WEEPS BECAUSE FINE WEATHER IS ALL
GONE. BOREDOM PILES UP LIKE HEAVY RAIN-CLOUDS:
WHERE IS OUR GAIETY AND WIT? LET
US SIT INDOORS.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR POETRY THAT REMEMBERS
SUMMER. LET IT BE PUT DOWN GENTLY ON
WHITE PAPER, LIKE FULL-BLOWN PETALS FALLING
FROM EXQUISITE TREES. AND LET MY LIPS
DRINK FROM THIS CUP OF SUMMER WINE EACH
TIME MY BRUSH IS DIPPED INTO THE INK. THUS
WILL I KEEP MY FANCY FROM FLOATING OFF
LIKE CLOUDS OR SMOKE: TIME PAST ESCAPES
FROM US QUICKER THAN A FLIGHT OF BIRDS. [Tu Fu]

49

LAUGHTER IN THE THICKET

THE GAY AND GALLANT YOUTH ... HIS PALACE
IS ON THE ROAD OF IMPERIAL TOMBS NEAR THE
GOLDEN BAZAAR ... SETS OUT INTO THE SWEET
SPRING BREEZE.

HIS TALL WHITE CHARGER, SADDLED WITH SILVER,
PRANCES GRACEFULLY IN RHYTHMIC STEPS.
BENEATH HIM IS A WHIRLWIND OF PETALS AS
HE RIDES THROUGH THE CARPET OF FALLEN
BLOSSOMS.

THE YOUTH REINS IN THE CHARGER, PERPLEXED....
A LAUGH, SWEET AND MUSICAL, RINGS FROM
THE THICKET; NOW HE IS PERPLEXED NO MORE. [Li Po]

SEEING YOU OFF

BECAUSE YOU ARE OLD, BECAUSE YOU ARE LEAVING,
MY HANDKERCHIEF IS WET WITH TEARS ...
BECAUSE YOU ARE SEVENTY YEARS OLD AND
HAVE NO HOME.

I AM UNEASY AS THE WIND RISES AND YOUR BOAT
SAILS OFF ... WHITE-HEADED TRAVELER AMONG
WHITE-HEADED WAVES. [Po Chu-i]

50

A LETTER HOME

YOU ASK ME: WHEN WILL I COME HOME? THERE
IS NO DATE SETTLED YET. HERE, AT PA-SHAN IN
AUTUMN, EVENING RAIN FLOODS THE HOLLOWS.

O FOR THE TIME WHEN WE CAN PUT OUT THE
CANDLE TOGETHER BY THE WESTERN WINDOW ...
O FOR THE TIME WHEN I CAN TELL YOU HOW I
FEEL HERE TONIGHT AT PA-SHAN, WHEN AUTUMN
RAIN FLOODS THE HOLLOWS. [Li-Shang-yin]

THE POET AND THE FLOOD

ICY WINDS SWEEP DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS
AND RIP OUT THE TREES. PITILESS, THE FLOOD
RISES IN THE RIVER DAY BY DAY. THERE IS NO
MOUNTAIN NOW, OR FIELDS ... EVERYTHING IS
FOG AND WATER.

ALL THE SAME, MY LATE CHRYSANTHEMUMS
ARE IN BLOOM. WHEN YOU ROW PAST, YUNG-HI,
SLOW YOUR BOAT IN FRONT OF MY GARDEN AND
GAZE AT THEM ... THEIR HOT COLORS WILL RE-WARM
YOUR HEART. [Tu Fu]

51

PARTING IN AUTUMN

THE CRICKETS ARE COLD, THEIR SONG IS SAD.
OUTSIDE THE PAVILION THE LAST SHOWER-DROPS
PATTER DOWN. HOLLOW THE HAPPY FAREWELL
PARTY. WE LINGER ... WHILE THE RIVER-BOAT,
LOADED WITH SANDALWOOD, IS WAITING FOR ME
TO GO ABOARD.

WE STAND HAND IN HAND, WE STAND WITHOUT
TALKING, WE STAND WITH TEARS ... TO THINK
THAT I MUST TRAVEL A THOUSAND MILES OF
MIST AND RAIN AND WATER! THE EVENING
CLOUDS ARE GATHERING AGAIN, AND THE SKY
WIDENS TO THE SOUTH.

IT IS AN OLD STORY: PARTING FROM A LOVER
IS FULL OF PAIN ... AND IT IS ALL THE WORSE
IN RAINY AUTUMN. TONIGHT, WHEN I GROW
SOBER AFTER ALL THIS WINE, WHERE WILL YOU
BE? ON THE WILLOWY SHORE, UNDER THE WANING
MOON?

AND I ... ALL THIS YEAR AWAY, SUNSHINE AND
LOVELY SIGHTS WILL COME TO ME IN VAIN ...
NO ONE ALL THIS YEAR TO TELL A THOUSAND
HAPPY THOUGHTS. [Li Yung]

52

THE EMBROIDERY

THE COOL WIND OF EVENING BLOWS BIRD-SONG
TO A WINDOW WHERE THE MAIDEN SITS. SHE IS
EMBROIDERING FLOWER-PATTERNS ON SILK.

HER HEAD IS RAISED; HER WORK FALLS FROM
HER FINGERS; HER THOUGHTS HAVE FLOWN TO
SOMEONE FAR AWAY.

“A BIRD CAN EASILY FIND ITS MATE AMONG THE
LEAVES, BUT ALL A MAIDEN’S TEARS, FALLING
LIKE RAIN FROM HEAVEN, WILL NOT BRING BACK
HER DISTANT LOVER.”

SHE BENDS AGAIN TO HER EMBROIDERY: “I WILL
WEAVE A LITTLE VERSE AMONG THESE FLOWERS
OF HIS ROBE ... PERHAPS HE WILL READ IT AND
COME BACK AGAIN.” [Li Po]

THE SOUTH WIND

THE SWEET SMELL OF THE SOUTH WIND CAN
CALM THE TEMPERS OF MY PEOPLE.

THE SWEET RAIN OF THE SOUTH WIND CAN
NOURISH THE GRAIN-FIELDS OF MY PEOPLE. [Anonymous]

53

54

LET US DRINK WINE

LOOK: DO YOU NOT SEE THE RAIN FALLING AT
LAST FROM THE SKY? FALLING INTO THE YELLOW
RIVER, FLOWING FAST INTO THE SEA, AND
NEVER NEVER RETURNING?

LOOK: DO YOU NOT SEE THE CLEAR MIRROR IN
THE HALL, SHOWING OUR HAIR BLACK SILK AT
MORNING, FALLEN TO BITTER SNOW BY NIGHT?

YOU WHO HAVE HAD YOUR FILL OF BITTER LIFE,
COME DRINK THE DREGS WITH ME! LET THERE
BE MOONLIGHT IN OUR EVENING ... LET THE
GOLDEN CUPS NEVER STAND EMPTY.

HEAVEN BLESSED ME WITH RICHES AND I MUST
SPEND MYSELF. THOUGH I THROW AWAY TEN
THOUSAND GOLD COINS AND POEMS, ALWAYS I
FIND MORE. SO LET US SLAUGHTER THE SHEEP
AND THE OX ... LET US MAKE MERRY AND
MERRY ... WHY, I PROMISE TO SWALLOW THREE
HUNDRED CUPS THIS SINGLE NIGHT.

COME, FRIEND CH’IN ... COME, MASTER CH’AN
... I OFFER YOU MY WINE: DO NOT REFUSE IT.
I OFFER YOU MY SONG: DO NOT IGNORE IT.

THE MEATS AND THE DANCING AND THE MUSIC
ARE NOT MY DESIRE ... MY ONLY DESIRE IS TO 55 BE DRUNK FOR EVER AND EVER AND NEVER WAKE
AGAIN. SCHOLARS AND SAINTS ARE FORGOTTEN
SOON; BUT GREAT DRUNKARDS ARE IMMORTAL.

THEY SAY PRINCE CH’EN AT HIS GREAT PING-YUEH
TEMPLE FEAST PAID TEN THOUSAND COINS
FOR WINE, SO EVERYONE COULD HAVE ENOUGH.
NOW THAT I GIVE THE FEAST ... DARE I LACK
MONEY? NO! LET US BUY THE WINE! LET US
DRINK TOGETHER! I WILL SEND MY BOY WITH
MY FIVE-COLORED HORSE, I WILL SEND MY BOY
WITH MY WONDROUS FURS WORTH ALONE TEN
THOUSAND COINS ... HE WILL BARTER THEM
FOR WINE ... AND WE, WE WILL DROWN THE
SORROW OF A THOUSAND GENERATIONS! [Li Po]

AT THE RIVER

SHE GATHERS LILY-FLOWERS IN THE SHALLOW
RIVER-WATERS ... SINGING AS SHE WADES. NOW
A STRANGER DAWDLES ALONG THE BANK. SHE
TURNS AROUND TO LOOK AT HIM.

HIDING IN A BUNCH OF LILIES, PRETENDING TO
BE EMBARRASSED ... SHE PEEKS OUT TO SMILE. [Li Po]

56

CHRYSANTHEMUMS

I BUILT MY LITTLE HOUSE RIGHT IN THE CITY,
BUT I NEVER HEAR HORSE OR CARRIAGE. DO
YOU WONDER HOW THIS CAN BE? BECAUSE A
SOUL UNATTACHED CREATES ITS OWN SWEET
SOLITUDE.

I PICK CHRYSANTHEMUMS UNDER THE HEDGE
TO THE EAST, GAZE AT THE MOUNTAIN RISING TO
THE SOUTH, BREATHE HIGH WESTERN AIR AT
SUNSET, WATCH THE BIRDS FLY NORTH.

THESE THINGS HOLD HIDDEN TRUTHS ... BUT
WHEN I TRY TO UNCOVER THEM, WORDS ARE NOT
THE WAY. [Tao Yuan-Ming]

THE INSTRUMENT

I SET MY STRINGED INSTRUMENT HERE ON THE
ELEGANT TABLE ... I SIT HERE ON THE EXQUISITE
BENCH. EMOTIONS FLOW INTO ME, MOVE
ME, AS I SIT HERE QUIETLY.

WHY SHOULD I PLAY? BREEZES WILL FIND THE
INSTRUMENT ... BREEZES WILL FLOW OVER IT
AND SWEEP THE STRINGS TO SONG. [Po Chu-i]

57

A DREAM OF YOU

FOR TEN YEARS I HAVE BEEN LIVING AND YOU
HAVE BEEN DEAD. EVEN WHEN I DO NOT THINK
OF YOU I CANNOT FORGET. YOUR LONELY GRAVE
IS A THOUSAND MILES AWAY.... WHERE CAN
I GO TO SPEAK MY SADNESS?

EVEN IF WE MET NOW, YOU WOULD NEVER
RECOGNIZE ME. MY HAIR IS GOING GRAY AT THE
TEMPLES, MY WRINKLED FACE ALWAYS COVERED
WITH DUST OF THE ROAD.

IN A DREAM LAST NIGHT I CAME HOME. AT THE
OPEN WINDOW OF OUR ROOM YOU SAT COMBING
YOUR HAIR. WE STARED AT EACH OTHER WITHOUT
A WORD, AND BURST INTO TEARS.... I
CHERISH IN MEMORY THAT GLEN OF OUR HEART-BREAKING,
THAT STILL MOONLIGHT NIGHT, THAT
HILL OF LITTLE PINES. [Su Shih]

A SONG OUT THERE

A SONG OUT THERE.... WHY, IT IS A BEGGAR SINGING!
IF THIS OLD MAN WHO NEVER HAD A SILVER
COIN CAN SING, WHY MUST YOU WITH RICH GOLD
MEMORIES SIT HERE AND SIGH? [Tu Fu]

58

THINKING OF HER LOVER

THE FRAGRANCE IS BLOWN FROM THE LOTUS-FLOWERS.
THE EMERALD LEAVES ARE WITHERED
NOW AND BROWN. THE WEST WIND IS PUFFING
SORROWS INTO GREEN RIPPLES ON THE RIVER.
EVERYTHING IS DYING, MY YEARS ARE DYING ...
I CANNOT BEAR THE SIGHT OF DEATH.

I STARE AT THE SILKEN LINES OF RAIN, WHERE
MY DREAMS ARE FLOATING IN THE LOST LANDS
OF NEVERMORE. ALONE I BLOW ON MY FLUTE OF
JADE, UNTIL MY BALCONY FREEZES WITH THE
ICY NOTES. O ENDLESS SORROWS, ENDLESS TEARS,
ENDLESS LEANING ON MY EMPTY BALCONY. [Prince Li Chin]

AUTUMN MOON

THE JADE STAIRCASE WEEPS WITH DEW. IT WETS
HER SILKEN SHOES, AS SHE CLIMBS SLOWLY TO
THE PAVILION.

SHE TOO WEEPS. LETTING DOWN A CURTAIN OF
CRYSTAL BEADS LIKE A TINKLING WATERFALL,
SHE SITS STARING THROUGH IT AT THE AUTUMN
MOON. [Li Po]

59

LI-SI DANCING

IN THE IMPERIAL GARDEN BREEZES TOY WITH
OPENING LOTUS BLOSSOMS. ON THE TERRACE,
LYING ON SILK CUSHIONS SCATTERED THERE,
THE KING LIES RESTING.

MORE DELICATE THAN A THIN SCARF OF MIST,
BRIGHTER THAN THE EASTERN STAR, LI-SI THE
BEAUTY, THE FAVORITE, DANCES FOR THE KING.

ALL TREMULOUS EYELIDS AND TREMBLING LIMBS,
SHE CIRCLES AND DROPS BESIDE THE KING ...
UNDER THE ROYAL EYE, HER LIDS ARE LOWERED. [Li Po]

REFLECTIONS

RAPIDLY TONIGHT MY BOAT FLOATS DOWN THE
RIVER UNDER A CLOUD-DAPPLED SKY. I LOOK
INTO THE WATER; IT IS AS CLEAR AS THE NIGHT.
WHEN CLOUDS FLOAT PAST THE MOON, I SEE
THEM FLOATING IN THE RIVER, AND FEEL I AM
ROWING IN THE SKY.

I THINK OF MY LOVE ... MIRRORED SO IN MY
HEART. [Tu Fu]

60

AT MIDNIGHT

LOOK: MOONLIGHT SHINING ON MY BED. OR IS
IT THE WHITE OF FROST?

RAISING MY HEAD, I SEE THE MOON OVER MOUNTAINS.
LOWERING IT, I REMEMBER ALL MY DEBTS
AND ERRORS. [Li Po]

AN ELEGY

LAST, BEST-LOVED DAUGHTER OF OLD HSIEH,
YOU WHO FOOLISHLY RAN OFF WITH THAT PENNILESS
BOY, WHO MENDED HIS CLOTHES WITH
PATCHES FROM YOUR OLD CLOTHES BROUGHT
FROM HOME ... AND I TEASED YOU FOR YOUR
GOLD HAIRPINS, SO WE COULD TRADE FOR WINE,
AND WE DRANK IT WITH OUR DINNERS OF BERRIES
AND HERBS PICKED CHEAP IN THE FIELD, COOKED
OVER DRY LEAVES FROM THE FIELD ... NOW,
WHEN THEY PAY ME WELL, ALL I CAN GIVE BACK
TO YOU IS TEMPLE OFFERINGS.

LONG LONG AGO WE COULD LAUGH AT DYING, BUT
DEATH A MAGICIAN CLOSED YOU IN HIS HAND AND
OPENED IT SUDDENLY EMPTY. I HAVE LOCKED
YOUR NEEDLEWORK AWAY, I HAVE GIVEN YOUR 61 CLOTHES AWAY ... MY EYES ARE NOT STRONG
ENOUGH. I AM GENTLE, BECAUSE YOU WERE, TO
OUR SERVING-MAIDS AND MEN. SOMETIMES WHEN
I DREAM I DREAM I SHOWER YOU WITH GIFTS. ALL
OF US MUST KNOW SUCH SORROW ... TO KNOW
IT BEST YOU MUST FIRST BE POOR AND HAPPY
TOGETHER.

HERE I SIT ALONE, HERE I SIGH FOR BOTH OF US.
HOW MANY BEADS MUST I STILL COUNT UPON
MY STRING OF TIME? BETTER MEN THAN I HAVE
GROWN OLD WITHOUT A SON ... A BETTER POET
SANG TO HIS DEAD WIFE WHO COULD NOT HEAR.

WE NEVER SAID THAT WE WOULD MEET AGAIN IN
DEATH. I HAVE NO HOPE BEYOND THE DARKNESS.
ALL I HAVE, IS TO STARE INTO THE NIGHT, SEEING
AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT LITTLE WORRIED
WRINKLE IN YOUR BROW. [Yuan Chen]

Transcriber’s Notes

- Copyright notice provided as in the original—these anonymous translations are public domain in the country of publication.

- Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and dialect unchanged.

- Only in the text versions, delimited italicized text in _underscores_ (the HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.)

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Table of Contents

THE JADE FLUTE
CONTENTMENT
I HAVE SEEN A ROAD
FLOATING NARCISSUS
THE FRIENDS
A NEGLECTED WIFE
THE POET AND THE DANCERS
I WILL BE ALONE
REMEMBER TO WEAR THEM
WILD GEESE
CONTENTMENT
TO THE EMPEROR
WHEN THE SWALLOWS RETURNED
THE WORLD AROUND US
YOUNG GIRLS OF OLD
THE MINIATURE PAVILION
PICKING THE LOTUS
A FLUTE AT NIGHT
WATCHING AND WONDERING
BEST HAPPINESS OF ALL
THE BLUE ROBE
THE ASHES OF MY HOUSE
THE MAIDEN LO-FO
LOOKING INTO MIST
THE WILLOW LEAF
AN UNHAPPY TIME
THE SHADOW OF A LEAF
A LOYAL WIFE
THE EMPEROR WALKS
THE ENCOUNTER
THE BREATH OF SPRING
JADE FLOWER PALACE
WINE-FLASK AT SUNSET
WHEN THE SUN ROSE ...
GOING TO MARKET
LIKE A CORMORANT
TROUBLED WATERS
CAPTIVITY
BE CAREFUL
AUTUMN OF ALL GOOD THINGS
THE FORMER WIFE SPEAKS
FADING IN THE SPRINGTIME
THE GIRL AT HOME
THE DRAGONFLY
WE WILL GROW OLD TOGETHER
AT HSIEN-YU TEMPLE
THE AUTUMN WIND
THE END OF ALL
WAITING ON THE TOWER
THE WOMEN OF PA
THE UNREWARDED POET
TO HIS DEAD LOVER
TO THE HERMIT CHENG
NON-BEING
ETERNITY
THE WAY OF THE WAY
AWAY WITH PHILOSOPHERS
NOT IN REPAYMENT
WAITING FOR YOU
DRAGON OF THE SHORELESS SEA
THE WIND-TORN ROOF
THE STARTLED PLUMS FALL DOWN
WEEP NOT, YOUNG WOMEN
BEFORE AND AFTER
WHY BE JEALOUS?
A LADY FROM AFAR
TO THE DANCING-GIRL SIAO-LING
THE GARDEN THAT DOES NOT FADE
PEASANT SONG
THE POET DREAMS
LAUGHTER IN THE THICKET
SEEING YOU OFF
A LETTER HOME
THE POET AND THE FLOOD
PARTING IN AUTUMN
THE EMBROIDERY
THE SOUTH WIND
LET US DRINK WINE
AT THE RIVER
CHRYSANTHEMUMS
THE INSTRUMENT
A DREAM OF YOU
A SONG OUT THERE
THINKING OF HER LOVER
AUTUMN MOON
LI-SI DANCING
REFLECTIONS
AT MIDNIGHT
AN ELEGY
Transcriber’s Notes
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