Classical Poetry · LT104

Old-Style Songs

Flexible-meter ancient verse and sweeping lyrical song ballads.

40works

8dynasties

25authors

Han

202 BCE – 220 CE6 works
  1. Nineteen Ancient Poems · Walking and WalkingAnonymous (Eastern Han)Separation stretches longer day by day, robe-sashes grow ever looser. Longing makes one age, the years have swiftly turned late.
  2. Nineteen Ancient Poems · Faraway the Cowherd StarAnonymous (Eastern Han)Across a single pool of clear water, gazing in deep affection, unable to speak.
  3. Nineteen Ancient Poems · Wading the River to Pluck LotusAnonymous (Eastern Han Poet)Wading across the river to pluck lotus blossoms, the orchid marsh is filled with fragrant herbs. Whom do I wish to send them to? The one I yearn for is far away on the road. United in heart yet dwelling apart, we shall grow old in sorrow.
  4. Nineteen Ancient Poems · In the Northwest Stands a Lofty TowerAnonymous (Eastern Han Poet)In the northwest stands a lofty tower, its summit rising level with drifting clouds. Patterned latticework graces delicate windows, multi-tiered terraces rise three flights high. From above comes the sound of stringed music and song, how sorrowful the melody rings! I grieve not for the singer's bitter toil, but mourn that true soulmates are so rare. Would that we were a pair of calling cranes, spreading wings to soar high into the sky.
  5. Nineteen Ancient Poems · Bright Moon How RadiantAnonymous (Eastern Han Poet)The bright moon shines how radiant, illuminating the curtains of my silk bed. Beset with grief I cannot sleep, gathering my robes I rise and pace. Though traveling afar is said to be joyous, nothing equals returning early home. Stepping outside the door in solitary wandering, to whom can I utter my sorrowful thoughts?
  6. Nineteen Ancient Poems · In the Courtyard Grows a Rare TreeAnonymous (Eastern Han Poet)In the courtyard grows a wondrous tree, green leaves blossoming rich and flourishing. Climbing branches I pluck its blossoms, intending to send them to the one I cherish. Sweet fragrance fills my sleeves and bosom, yet the road is too distant to deliver. How could this blossom be precious in itself? I am merely moved by how long we have been parted.

Three Kingdoms

220–2805 works
  1. Singing of My Thoughts · Poem 1 (Night Cannot Sleep)Ruan JiThin curtains reflect the bright moon, cool breezes brush my robe. Pacing, what is there to see? Sorrow wounds my solitary heart.
  2. Seven Steps PoemCao ZhiBorn from the very same root, why oppress each other with such haste?
  3. To Biao, King of BaimaCao ZhiA noble man sets his resolve across the four seas; ten thousand li are still as next-door neighbors. If affection and love suffer no decline, distance only deepens closeness each day. Why must we share the same bed-canopy to express warmth? Snatched apart in haste, how could kindred hearts not ache with bitter grief?
  4. Poem of Sorrow and IndignationCai Wenji (Cai Yan)Entrusting my life to a new spouse, weeping my heart out in solitude. How brief is human lifespan, yet burdened with grief to the end of years!
  5. Poem of Sorrow and Indignation · Part ICai Yan (Cai Wenji)In the decline of the Han dynasty imperial authority faltered as traitorous vassals usurped power in chaotic rebellion; slaughtered innocents littered the land, corpses piled high against one another under blood-soaked skies as wild weeping shook the wandering spirits.

Jin

265–4204 works
  1. Drinking Wine · Poem 5 (Plucking Chrysanthemums)Tao YuanmingPlucking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern hedge, leisurely I see the Southern Mountain. In this lies truth; wanting to speak, I forget all words.
  2. Returning to Dwell in the Country · Poem 1Tao YuanmingThe caged bird yearns for old woods, the pond fish pines for its deep abyss. Long in the cage, I return at last to Nature.
  3. Mourning the Departed · Poem IPan YueGazing at the cottage I miss her person, stepping into the chamber I recall all we shared. Gauze screens offer no trace of her form, no brush calligraphy remains on desks. Sleeping and waking her likeness fills my eyes, her departed voice still lingers in my ears.
  4. Mount Tai ChantXie DaoyunTowering high stands the Eastern Peak, its summit piercing the azure sky. Among crags opens a primordial hollow space, serene, profound, and mysterious; crafted neither by carpenter nor mason, its cloud-wrought towers arise purely from nature.

Northern and Southern

420–5897 works
  1. Imitating the Hard Roads (No. 4)Bao ZhaoPour water onto flat ground, and it flows east, west, south, and north in divergent paths. Human life has its destined lot—how can one pace in sighs and sit brooding in grief?
  2. Imitating the Hard Roads (No. 6)Bao ZhaoFacing the banquet table I cannot eat; drawing my sword I strike the pillar in long sighs. How long is a real man granted in this mortal world? How can I pace timidly with drooping wings!
  3. Climbing the Tower by the PondXie LingyunUpon the pond green spring grass sprouts anew; garden willows transform with warbling songbirds. Mourning the exile songs of Bin, moved by the lush laments of Chu.
  4. Composed at the Stone Cliff Hermitage by the Flowing StreamXie LingyunWhite clouds embrace secluded boulders; green bamboo caresses crystal ripples. Setting down walking cane to rest from fatigue, opening scroll cases to peruse ancient fragments.
  5. Climbing Three Mountains at Dusk and Looking Back Toward the CapitalXie TiaoTrailing sunset clouds disperse like woven damask; the clear river rests serene like smooth white silk. Chirping birds crowd spring sandbars; blossoms fill the fragrant countryside.
  6. En Route to Xuancheng Departing Xinlin Anchorage for BanqiaoXie TiaoAt the sky's horizon I discern returning boats; amidst distant clouds I distinguish river groves. The Great River surges on day and night; the traveler's sorrow knows no end.
  7. In Imitation of a Traveler Sending Thoughts AfarBao LinghuiBy the river mournful winds blow fiercely as the cold sun sets behind western mountains. The traveler drifts upon rolling waves, beyond the reach of anxious gaze; sending my message to my beloved a thousand miles away: when will you return to your homeland pass?

Tang

618–90715 works
  1. Song of Everlasting RegretBai JuyiTurning with a single smile, a hundred charms arose; all the beauties of the palace faded without color.
  2. The Bailiff at ShihaoDu FuThe living merely eke out their days; the dead are gone for evermore!
  3. Song on Ascending the Youzhou TerraceChen Zi'angBefore me I see not the ancients; behind me I see not those to come. Pondering the boundless infinity of heaven and earth, alone in grief my tears stream down!
  4. Song of White Snow in Farewell to Assistant Magistrate Wu Returning to the CapitalCen ShenAs if overnight a spring breeze had arrived, thousands of trees blossom with pear flowers. Beyond winding peaks you vanish from sight, leaving only horseshoe tracks in deep white snow.
  5. The Hard Road to ShuLi BaiAh, alas, how perilous and towering! The road to Shu is harder than climbing to the cerulean blue sky!
  6. The Hard RoadLi BaiA time will come to ride the winds and cleave the waves; I shall hoist cloud-high sails straight across the azure sea!
  7. Song of My Thatched Cottage Wrecked by Autumn GaleDu FuHow could I secure ten thousand grand mansions, to shelter all destitute scholars under heaven in beaming smiles! Standing unmoved through wind and storm, secure as a mountain.
  8. Song of the PipaBai JuyiWe both are drifted wanderers cast to heaven's far corners; meeting like this, what need is there for prior acquaintance!
  9. Upon the Lofty Mountain PeakHanshan (Cold Mountain)Upon the lofty mountain peak, looking in four directions stretches boundlessly. Sitting alone unknown to men, a solitary moon illuminates the chilly spring. In the cold spring there is no real moon; the moon abides serene in the blue sky. Chanting this solitary song, the melody ends as the mystery deepens.
  10. People Ask for the Way to Cold MountainHanshan (Cold Mountain)People ask the road to Cold Mountain; yet Cold Mountain has no open road. In midsummer ice remains unthawed; when the sun rises, mists drift obscurely. How did someone like me reach here? Because our minds are not the same! If your heart resembled mine, you too could pass right through.
  11. Boundless Is the Sacred Mountain TrailHanshan (Cold Mountain)Boundless is the sacred mountain road, rugged along cold stream banks. Chirping birds chorus around the solitary wandering traveler. Silently the breeze brushes the cheek; thick snowdrifts pile upon the body. Morning by morning seeing no sun, year after year unaware of spring.
  12. Freedom from Anger Is the PreceptShideFreedom from anger is the ultimate precept; a pure mind is true renunciation. When inner nature merges with the cosmic essence, all dharmas are without difference. Patience, patience! The two words 'Patience and Forbearance' are a priceless jewel!
  13. Song of Tea Drinking Teasing Governor Cui ShiJiaoran (Monk Jiaoran)The first sip cleanses drowsiness, stirring bright clarity that fills heaven and earth. The second sip purifies my spirit, like falling rain settling the drifting dust. The third sip leads straight to the Dao—why labor bitterly to break vexations? Who understands that the Way of Tea preserves your authentic nature? Only immortals attain such grace.
  14. Listening to the ZitherLingche (Monk Lingche)After guests depart and the wooden gate is barred, the zither rings crystal-pure while night lingers on. Distant and leisurely flows the ancient water melody, serene as the homeland of white clouds. Body and worldly objects rest in quietude; sounds and thoughts are forgotten together in pure emptiness.
  15. Song of ChangganLi BaiYou came riding a bamboo horse, circling the well-rail, playing with green plums.

Song

960–12791 works
  1. Canglang PavilionOuyang XiuThe pure breeze and bright moon were originally priceless, what a wonder they were purchased for a mere forty thousand coins! Zimei's pavilion is truly the most romantic, where clear springs and tall bamboo wind around together.

Ming

1368–16441 works
  1. Song to Awaken the World · Red Dust and White WavesHanshan DeqingRed dust and white waves both stretch boundless; patience and gentleness are the miraculous remedy. Adapt everywhere to unfolding conditions as years advance, spending one's lifetime content in duty. Never blind your own mind's field; never broadcast others' shortcomings. A century of riches cannot be guarded forever; wandering the six realms brings easy peril.

Qing

1636–19121 works
  1. Song of YuanyuanWu WeiyeSix armies wept clad in white mourning; he burst with crown-raising wrath for a fair lady.