Classical Poetry · LT104

Old-Style Songs

Flexible-meter ancient verse and sweeping lyrical song ballads.

60works

9dynasties

34authors

Han

11 works

202 BCE – 220 CE

  1. Nineteen Ancient Poems · Walking and WalkingAnonymous (Eastern Han literati)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 literati)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 literati)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 literati)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 literati)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 literati)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.
  7. Though the Tortoise Lives LongCao CaoAn old steed lying in its stall still sets its heart on a thousand li; a man of valor in his twilight years keeps his proud heart undimmed.
  8. Song in Reply to the King of XiangConsort Yu (traditionally attributed)My king's spirit is spent: why should your lowly handmaid live on?
  9. Song of the SwanLiu BangThe swan flies high, a thousand li at a single stroke.
  10. Song for Lady Li (Is It She or Not)Emperor Wu of Han (Liu Che)I stand and gaze at her: why does she come so slowly, so gracefully, so late?
  11. Songs of the Huzi BreachEmperor Wu of Han (Liu Che)Tell the Lord of the River for me: why is he so unkind, flooding without end and grieving my people?

Three Kingdoms

5 works

220–280

  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 man's resolve spans the four seas; ten thousand li are like next door. If love and kindness suffer no loss, distance only makes us closer day by day.
  4. Poem of Sorrow and IndignationCai Wenji (Cai Yan)From the horses' sides hung men's heads; behind the horses rode captive women.
  5. Poem of Sorrow and Indignation · Part ICai Yan (Cai Wenji)They hacked and slew until none remained; corpses and bones lay propped against one another. From the horses' sides hung men's heads; behind on the horses they carried off women.

Jin

5 works

265–420

  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 YueSeeing our house I think of her; entering the room I recall what she did there.
  4. Mount Tai ChantXie DaoyunMade by no carpenter and by no craftsman, this cloud-high structure arises of itself.
  5. Two Orchid Pavilion PoemsWang XizhiLooking up, I gaze to the edge of the blue sky; looking down, I sit by the green water's shore. Clear and boundless, the view has no limit; what meets the eye reveals its own principle.

Northern and Southern

7 works

420–589

  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. Returning across the Lake from the Stone Cliff RetreatXie LingyunBetween dawn and dusk the air and light change; mountains and waters hold a clear radiance.
  5. Climbing Three Mountains at Dusk and Looking Back Toward the CapitalXie TiaoThe lingering clouds of sunset spread out like damask; the clear river lies still like white silk.
  6. En Route to Xuancheng Departing Xinlin Anchorage for BanqiaoXie TiaoAt the sky's edge I make out returning boats; among the clouds I discern the riverside trees.
  7. On My Wife Napping in the DaytimeXiao GangSmiling in a dream, her charming dimples open; her sleeping coils of hair press on fallen flowers.

Tang

23 works

618–907

  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)In the spring there is really no moon; the moon is itself in the blue sky.
  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. Remote and Dim, the Cold Mountain RoadHanshan (Cold Mountain)Morning after morning I do not see the sun; year after year I do not know spring.
  12. Freedom from Anger Is the PreceptShideTo be free of anger is itself the precept; a pure mind is itself leaving home.
  13. Song of Tea Drinking Teasing Governor Cui ShiJiaoran (Monk Jiaoran)The first cup washes away dullness and drowsiness; my spirits rise, bright and clear, filling heaven and earth. The second cup clears my mind, like flying rain sprinkling away light dust. With the third cup I attain the Way; why labour painfully to break through vexations?
  14. Song of ChangganLi BaiYou came riding a bamboo horse, circling the well-rail, playing with green plums.
  15. A Dream Journey to Mount Tianmu: A Song of FarewellLi BaiHow could I lower my brows and bend my waist to serve the mighty and noble, and never again show a happy face?
  16. Drinking Alone Under the Moon, No. 1Li BaiRaising my cup, I invite the bright moon; with my shadow, we make a party of three.
  17. A Moonlit Night on the Spring RiverZhang RuoxuWho on the riverbank first saw this moon? In what year did the river moon first shine on a person?
  18. Farewell to Collator Shuyun at Xie Tiao's Tower in XuanzhouLi BaiDraw a blade to cut the water, and the water flows on; raise a cup to drown sorrow, and sorrow grows deeper.
  19. Ballad of the Army CartsDu FuNow we truly know that bearing a son is bad, and bearing a daughter is better.
  20. Song of the Governor of YanmenLi HeBlack clouds press on the city, as if to crush it; armour glints toward the sun, like golden scales opening.
  21. Bring in the WineLi BaiHeaven made my talents, and they must have their use; scatter a thousand in gold and it will all come back again.
  22. The Old Charcoal SellerBai JuyiPitiful: the clothes on his back are thin, yet fearing charcoal will sell cheap, he wishes the weather colder!
  23. Expressing My FeelingsWei ZhengIn life one is moved by loyalty and spirit; who still talks of fame and merit?

Qing

4 works

1636–1912

  1. Song of YuanyuanWu WeiyeThe six armies wailed, all clad in mourning white; but the rage that lifted his cap was for a rosy-cheeked beauty.
  2. Song on the Origin of the Way for Saving the WorldHong XiuquanThe Heavenly Father, God on High, belongs to every person alike; that all under heaven is one family has been handed down from of old.
  3. Song of the Yonghe PalaceWu WeiyeMoon over Yangzhou, flowers of Duling: along the road fragrant dust welcomes a Lihua.
  4. Song of Mandarin Duck LakeWu WeiyeOn the bank of Mandarin Duck Lake the grass clings to the sky; in the second month, deep in spring, it is good to let the boat drift.