Through the Dynasties · LD13

Yuan

Pax Mongolica and continental trade networks

35works

5forms

16authors

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Classical Poetry

Orthodox classical Chinese poetry spanning archaic ballads to Tang regulated verse.1 works
  1. Tomb of Prince Yue of EZhao Mengfu · Regulated OctavesOver Prince Yue's tomb, desolate grasses sway; under chilly autumn skies, weathered stone beasts lean in decay. The southern refugee court took the empire lightly, while northern elders gazed in vain for the liberating banners. The hero has died—alas, what regret can mend it? The realm split in half and collapsed at last. Sing not this mournful song toward West Lake, for even its bright waters and green hills weep in sorrow.

Sanqu & Drama

Sanqu lyric suites, Yuan Zaju poetic dramas, and Ming-Qing Kunqu masterworks.26 works
  1. The Injustice to Dou E · Rolling the Embroidered BallGuan Hanqing · Yuan Zaju DramaO Earth, if you tell not good from ill, why be called Earth! O Heaven, if you mistake the worthy for the wicked, in vain are you named Heaven!
  2. Romance of the Western Chamber · Farewell at the PavilionWang Shifu · Yuan Zaju DramaCerulean clouds above, golden petals below; west winds stir as northern geese fly south. Who dyed the frosted trees crimson at dawn? Parting lovers' tears.
  3. Autumn ThoughtsMa Zhiyuan · Sanqu SongsWithered vines, old trees, evening crows; a small bridge, flowing water, a cottage home; an ancient road, west wind, a lean horse. The evening sun sinks in the west; a heartbroken traveler wanders at the world's end.
  4. Sails Returning to Distant ShoresMa Zhiyuan · Sanqu SongsBeneath the sunset glow, tavern banners hang calm; two or three skiffs have yet to moor. Falling blossoms scent the dusk waters by thatched huts; at the broken bridgehead, the fishmongers disperse.
  5. Night Voyage: Autumn ReflectionsMa Zhiyuan · Song SuitesA century of mortal life is like a butterfly's fleeting dream; looking back upon bygone deeds evokes endless sighs. Spring arrives today, yet tomorrow blossoms wither; drain the cup swiftly before the late night lamp burns out.
  6. Falling Plum Wind: Rose DewMa Zhiyuan · Sanqu SongsDew on roses, rain on lotus leaves, frost on chrysanthemums chilling fragrant courtyards; under the dark moon above plum boughs when guests disperse, who holds sway over these five seasons of wonder?
  7. Refusing to Yield to AgeGuan Hanqing · Song SuitesI am a solid, ringing bronze pea that cannot be steamed soft, boiled through, hammered flat, or popped in a roasting pan! Who bade you young gallants plunge headlong into love's brocade trap?
  8. Drunk in East Wind: Worlds Apart in a Single StepGuan Hanqing · Sanqu SongsIn an inch of space we part worlds apart; in an instant the moon wanes and petals fly. Hand grasping the farewell wine cup, eyes beholding parting tears. Barely uttering 'take care,' my heart already aches to let you go.
  9. Four Pieces of Jade: Parting LongingGuan Hanqing · Sanqu SongsSince our parting, my heart aches to let go; when will this ember of longing ever cease? Leaning on the balustrade, sleeves brush away snowy willow catkins. The stream bends, the hills conceal—my beloved is gone!
  10. Song of Great Virtue: AutumnGuan Hanqing · Sanqu SongsWind drifts, rain whispers—even slumbering Immortal Chen Tuan could not find sleep. Crickets hush their song as the midnight watch sounds; thin are the pillows and mats of solitary sleep.
  11. AutumnBai Pu · Sanqu SongsA lonely hamlet, setting sun, lingering twilight; light mist, old trees, chilly crows; a solitary wild goose casts its fleeting shadow. Blue mountains, green waters, bleached grasses, crimson maple leaves, and yellow chrysanthemums.
  12. SpringBai Pu · Sanqu SongsSpring mountains, warm sunlight, gentle breeze; balustrades, lofty pavilions, screened casements; weeping willows and swings in the courtyard. Warbling orioles, dancing swallows, a small bridge, flowing water, and fluttering red petals.
  13. FishermanBai Pu · Sanqu SongsBy yellow reed shores and white duckweed ferry, along green willow dikes and red smartweed shallows. Though without triumphs of imperial victory, I can purchase wine of sorrow-forgetting. Strive not for worldly riches and honor; white-haired fishermen on river shoals are accustomed to autumn moons and spring breezes.
  14. Rain on the Wutong Trees: Act III AriaBai Pu · Yuan Zaju DramaGolden well parapets where parasol tree leaves yellow; pearl curtains remain undrawn against the night frost. The Bells in the Rain drip, shattering the heart into pieces. Why must I listen further to the fragile autumn sighs of falling wutong leaves?
  15. Meditations at Tongguan PassZhang Yanghao · Sanqu SongsMountain peaks gather close, wild billows surge in wrath; fortress pass of Tongguan framed by mountains and rushing stream. Gazing toward the Western Capital, hesitation weighs upon my soul. Sorrow strikes traversing the ancient lands of Qin and Han: ten thousand palace halls have all turned to dust. In imperial rise, the common people suffer; in imperial fall, the common people suffer.
  16. Meditations at Mount LiZhang Yanghao · Sanqu SongsSurveying Mount Li on all four sides, the Epang Palace burnt in a single torch: where is that imperial luxury today? Only sparse overgrown weeds remain, and streams winding in solitude. Lingering historical regrets shroud misty trees. Feudal kingdoms of Zhou, Qi, Qin, Han, and Chu: winner, all turned to dust; loser, all turned to dust!
  17. Praising JiangnanZhang Yanghao · Sanqu SongsMisty river waters reflect clear mountain hazes, dwellings on both shores join painted eaves, lotus clusters embrace a tranquil autumn light. Watching sand gulls dance again and again, rolling up fragrant breezes through ten miles of pearl curtains. Painted skiffs arrive from the horizon, wine flags flutter in the breeze: how I adore Jiangnan!
  18. Double Ninth FestivalZhang Kejiu · Sanqu SongsFacing green hills, I straighten my official cap with effort. Returning wild geese cross the autumn sky; a weary traveler yearns for home. Emerald sleeves attend with care, golden goblets clink in turn, jade fingers strum the pipa. Worldly riches and honors prove far narrower than the vast boundless realm of wine!
  19. Meditations on HistoryZhang Kejiu · Sanqu SongsThe beauty took her life by the banks of the Wujiang River; flames of war once scorched the Red Cliff cliffs; valiant generals aged in vain at the Jade Gate Pass. Heartbroken by Qin and Han, when innocent lives were trampled as ashes—the scholar gives a long, deep sigh!
  20. Spring ThoughtsZhang Kejiu · Sanqu SongsA letter of safe tidings arrives on scarce half a sheet, inscribed with a few pairs of mandarin duck characters. When blossoms opened he vowed to return; now petals have fallen, why has he not? Who knows for whom this jade-pure waist has withered and sandalwood brows have paled?
  21. Self-AccountQiao Ji · Sanqu SongsNo champion in imperial civil examinations, no official salary in imperial rolls. Accustomed to chasing wild butterflies and bees amid blossoms and wine. Laughing proudly amid forests and springs, casting aside fame and profit. Wandering in east winds, ten years a dream—let it all rest, calculate no more!
  22. Seeking Plum BlossomsQiao Ji · Sanqu SongsBefore and after winter through several hamlets, north and south of streams with frost on both shoes, searching atop and beneath trees on Lonely Hill. Whence comes this sudden fragrance in the chilling breeze? Met unexpectedly, standing still in rapt gaze: snowy bones, icy flesh, jade essence, orchid fragrance.
  23. Palace Joy: Parting ReflectionsGuan Yunshi · Sanqu SongsKing Huai of Chu let his loyal minister leap into the Miluo River... Casting aside petty worldly fame brings supreme delight to the heart, laughing beyond the white clouds. With three or five kindred spirits, what hinders drinking to our heart's content?
  24. The Soul of Qiannü Leaves Her Body: Act II AriaZheng Guangzu · Yuan Zaju DramaIn all human life, nothing brings more torment than parting. Pity the thousand leagues of mountain barriers trodden alone. Even if granted a century of love together, how can one bear this hurried moment of departure?
  25. Song of You and MeGuan Daosheng · Sanqu SongsYou and I, our love is overwhelmingly deep; where love is so deep, it blazes like fire! Take a lump of clay, mold a you, and shape a me. Smash both of us together, mix with water, then mold another you and shape another me. In my clay there is you, in your clay there is me!
  26. Rootless Tree · Daoist Sentiment No. 1Zhang Sanfeng · Storytelling BalladsRootless tree, flowers bloom in seclusion; craving the red dust of mortal life, who is willing to pause? Affairs of floating life are like skiffs on a bitter sea, drifting and rocking helplessly without freedom. Boundless sorrow—when will it ever cease? Hasten early to cultivate character and join the rivers of the Dao.

Classical Prose

Authoritative classical prose from Pre-Qin philosophers to Tang-Song prose masters.2 works
  1. Words of the Orange SellerLiu Bowen · Essays & MemorialsGold and jade on the exterior, rotten rags within. Now you fail to discern the grand deceit of the realm, yet lecture on a damaged orange—is this not utter delusion?
  2. Yu Li Zi: The Nine DifficultiesLiu Bowen · Pre-Qin MastersThe reason why rivers and seas can be kings of a hundred valleys is that they place themselves below them. Human strife arises from pride in conquest; contentious pride springs from self-righteousness. Self-righteousness blinds one to the virtues of others; contentious pride blinds one to one's own flaws.

Fables & Lore

Philosophical fables, historical allusion narratives, and primordial mythology.3 works
  1. Swallowing Dates WholeBai Ting · Satirical ParablesTaking things in without chewing them over yields no real understanding.
  2. Staking Everything on One ThrowToqto'a et al. · Satirical ParablesAn all-or-nothing gamble is perilous; even victory can bring suspicion.
  3. The Fox Mourns the Dead HareToqto'a et al. · Satirical ParablesWhen one of your kind falls, take it as a warning for yourself.

Sayings & Idioms

Living Chinese linguistic heritage comprising idioms, proverbs, aphorisms, and couplets.3 works
  1. Calm and Self-PossessedToqto'a et al. · IdiomsCalm and composed, even in an emergency.
  2. Staking Everything on One ThrowHistory of Song · IdiomsBetting everything on a single throw; a desperate all-or-nothing gamble.
  3. The Fox Mourns the Dead HareHistory of Song · IdiomsThe fox grieves over the dead hare; sorrow for the misfortune of one's own kind.