Classical Poetry · LT101

Four-Character Verse

Ancient four-character metric verse of the Western and Eastern Zhou eras.

32works

3dynasties

22authors

Xia

2070–1600 BCE4 works
  1. Song of Beating the EarthAnonymous (Archaic Elders)Work at sunrise, rest at sundown. Dig wells for drink, plow fields for food. What has the emperor's power to do with me!
  2. Song of the Southern WindEmperor ShunThe balmy Southern wind soothes the sorrow of my people; the timely Southern breeze enriches their wealth.
  3. Song of Waiting (Hou Ren Ge / Song of Tushan)Lady of Tushan (Attributed)Waiting for the loved one, oh!
  4. Song of the Five SonsBrothers of Xia King Tai KangOur imperial ancestor gave the precept: The people are the root of a country; when the root is firm, the country is tranquil.

Shang

1600–1046 BCE1 works
  1. Classic of Poetry · Hymns of Shang · The Black BirdAnonymousHeaven decreed the Black Bird (Swallow) to descend and give birth to Shang, dwelling in the vast lands of Yin. The ancient Lord commanded Martial Tang to pacify the four quarters; issuing mandates to lords, possessing all nine regions. The capital of Shang stands majestic, the beacon of all four directions!

Zhou

1046–256 BCE27 works
  1. Classic of Poetry · Guan Ju (Ospreys Cry)Anonymous (Zhou Dynasty)Guan-guan cry the ospreys, upon the river islet. The gentle, modest maiden, a fine mate for a noble gentleman.
  2. Classic of Poetry · Jian Jia (Reeds and Rushes)Anonymous (Qin State)Reeds and rushes grow thick and green, white dew turns to frost. The one of whom I think is across the water.
  3. Classic of Poetry · Tao Yao (The Peach Tree in Bloom)Anonymous (Zhou Dynasty)Graceful is the blooming peach tree, dazzling are its blossoms. This maiden goes to her marriage, bringing harmony to home and family.
  4. Classic of Poetry · Cai Wei (Gathering Vetch)Anonymous (Zhou Soldier)Long ago when I set out, the willows swayed tenderly. Now as I return, the snow drifts thick and heavy.
  5. Classic of Poetry · Fa Tan (Chopping Hardwood)Anonymous (Wei State Laborers)You neither sow nor reap, why seize three hundred stacks of grain? Those lords never eat the bread of idleness!
  6. Classic of Poetry · Shuo Shu (Big Rat)Anonymous (Wei Peasants)I swear to leave you and go to that happy land; happy land, where at last I shall find my true home.
  7. Classic of Poetry · Seventh MonthAnonymous (Bin Farmers)In the seventh month crickets in the fields, in the eighth under the eaves, in the ninth at the door, in the tenth under my bed. Alas for us farmers! Our crops gathered, we go up to serve in the ruler's halls.
  8. Classic of Poetry · The PeasantAnonymous (Woman of Wei)Solemn were your sworn pledges, never imagining you would turn back. That you broke them was unthought of—now all is ended!
  9. Classic of Poetry · Deer CryAnonymous (Zhou Court Musician)Yu-yu cry the deer, grazing on wild artemisia. I have honored guests; strum the zithers, blow the mouth-organs. Blow reed pipes and vibrate tongues, presenting baskets of gifts. Those who love me show me the great Dao of Zhou.
  10. Classic of Poetry · No RobesAnonymous (Qin Warriors)Who says we have no robes? I will share my battle cloak with you. The King raises his hosts; let us repair spears and lances. Together we share the enemy!
  11. Classic of Poetry · Beating DrumsAnonymous (Soldier of Wei)In death and in life, apart or together, with you I pledged my vow: Taking your hand, I would grow old alongside you. Alas, so far sundered, we cannot rejoin; alas, how long apart, my pledge can never be fulfilled.
  12. Classic of Poetry · PlantainsAnonymous (Zhou Nan Gathering Women)Gather the plantains, truly gather them! Gather the plantains, truly take them! Gather the plantains, pluck them leaf by leaf; gather the plantains, strip them stem by stem!
  13. Classic of Poetry · Odes of Yong · Galloping ForthLady Mu of XuI galloped fast and drove swiftly home to comfort the Lord of Wei. My horses sped untiringly until reaching Cao; the noble ministers pursued and hindered me, weighing heavy sorrow upon my heart.
  14. Classic of Poetry · Odes of Bei · Spring WaterLady Mu of XuGurgling flows the spring water into the Qi River. Longing for my home state of Wei, not a day passes without pining thoughts; turning to my companions of the Ji clan, I consult with them on my yearning journey.
  15. Classic of Poetry · Greater Odes · King WenAnonymousKing Wen dwells on high, radiant in the heavens. Though Zhou is an ancient state, its Heavenly Mandate is ever renewed. Is Zhou not glorious? The Lord's mandate is ever timely. King Wen ascends and descends, forever at the right hand of God on High.
  16. Classic of Poetry · Greater Odes · Birth of the PeopleAnonymousThe first ancestor who gave birth to our people was Jiang Yuan. How did she give birth? She prayed with pure sacrifices that she might not be barren; treading in the toe-print of God on High, she was moved with spiritual grace, conceiving and bearing Houji, the Lord of Millet.
  17. Classic of Poetry · Greater Odes · Spreading VinesAnonymousSpreading endlessly are melon vines. When our people first arose along the Ju and Qi rivers, Lord Gugong Danfu lived in earthen kiln-caves before houses existed. In the morning Gugong Danfu galloped his steeds, leading his clan along the western riverbanks to settle beneath Mount Qi.
  18. Classic of Poetry · Greater Odes · ReversalLord of FanGod on High has reversed His favor, and the common people suffer affliction. Official decrees lack truth and policies lack foresight. Sages are ignored and my warnings unheeded, while slanderous flatterers foster future catastrophe!
  19. Classic of Poetry · Greater Odes · RestraintDuke Wu of WeiDignified and imposing deportment is the outward manifestation of inner virtue. Ancient folk have said: 'Even the wisest have their foolish moments.' A flaw in a white jade scepter may still be ground away; but a flaw in one's spoken words can never be undone!
  20. Classic of Poetry · Greater Odes · MightyDuke Mu of ShaoMighty is God on High, sovereign over mortal folk. Terrible in majesty, His mandates brook no defiance. People are born into this realm, yet human nature is rarely constant. None does not begin well, yet few can see things through to noble ends! The mirror for Yin is not far off—it lies in the bygone age of Xia!
  21. Classic of Poetry · Hymns of Zhou · The Pure TempleAnonymousAh, solemn and pure is the ancestral temple, dignified and reverent are the assisting ministers. The multitude of talented officers uphold King Wen's virtue, responding to his spirit in Heaven, swiftly hastening in the temple halls. Ever glorious and continually inherited, never shall his memory fade among men!
  22. Classic of Poetry · Hymns of Zhou · The Mandate of HeavenAnonymousThe Mandate of Heaven, ah, how endlessly profound and unceasing! Ah, how gloriously bright, how pure is the virtue of King Wen! Bestowing abundant favor upon us, we gratefully receive it; walking in the benevolence of King Wen, his distant descendants hold fast to it.
  23. Classic of Poetry · Praise Odes of Lu · The Secluded TempleXi SiThe secluded temple is solemn and still, massive and solid in stone and timber. Illustrious was Jiang Yuan, whose virtue never swerved. Relying on God on High, free from calamity and harm. May the Lord of Lu prosper thus, guarding the eastern realm forever!
  24. Classic of Poetry · Lesser Odes · Cherry BlossomsDuke of ZhouBlossoms of the cherry tree, how radiant in clustered glory! Among all people of our present world, none equals the bond of brothers. Brothers may squabble within the courtyard walls, yet united they repel assault from outside. Though you may have good friends, none will rush to your aid when peril strikes!
  25. Classic of Poetry · Lesser Odes · Luxuriant ArtocarpusAnonymousLuxuriant was the artocarpus, yet it proved mere bitter wormwood. Sorrowful, sorrowful were my parents, toiling in bitter hardship to bear me! Father gave me life, Mother nurtured me: stroking me, feeding me, raising me, educating me, caring for me, shielding me in their arms. Wishing to repay their boundless virtue—it is limitless as the vast heavens!
  26. Classic of Poetry · Lesser Odes · Crane CryingAnonymousThe crane cries in the ninefold marsh, its voice resounding across the wild plains. Fish dive deep into pools, or swim resting near the islet. Joyous is that garden, planted with fine sandalwood trees and fallen leaves beneath. The stones of other mountains can serve to polish jade.
  27. Classic of Poetry · Lesser Odes · Mount Nan Has SedgesAnonymousSouth Mountain has lush sedges, North Mountain has pigweeds. Joyful is the noble lord, cornerstone of state and clan! Joyful is the noble lord, granted boundless longevity! South Mountain has mulberries, North Mountain has poplars. Joyful is the noble lord, glorious radiance of state and clan!