Poetry · LT106

Regulated Octaves

Eight-line regulated verse with strict tonal patterns and antithetical middle couplets.

149works

6dynasties

51authors

Tang

23 works

618–907

  1. Written with Friends at the Xianyou TempleHan HongWhy seek a world beyond this one? The human world has its own land of immortals.
  2. Venting My Grief, No. 1Yuan ZhenToday my salary is over a hundred thousand cash, and for you I can only offer sacrifices and hold rites for the dead.
  3. Night in the PavilionDu FuAt the fifth watch, drums and horns sound stirring and sad; over the Three Gorges, the Milky Way's reflection trembles.
  4. Replying to Secretary Jia Zhi's Poem on the Morning Audience at Daming PalaceDu FuIn the warm sun the dragons and snakes on the banners stir; in the light breeze over the palace halls, swallows and sparrows fly high.
  5. Replying to Secretary Jia's Poem on the Morning Audience at Daming PalaceWang WeiThe gates of the ninefold heaven open on the palace halls; the robes and caps of ten thousand nations bow before the crown.
  6. Replying to Secretary Jia Zhi of the Secretariat on the Morning Audience at Daming PalaceCen CanFlowers greet the swords and pendants as the stars begin to set; willows brush the banners while the dew is not yet dry.
  7. On the Ninth Day at the Cui Family Estate in LantianDu FuWho will still be well when we meet here next year? Drunk, I hold the dogwood and look at it closely.
  8. Little SolsticeDu FuThe riverbanks wait for the last month to unfurl their willows; the hills defy the cold, ready to open the plum.
  9. Climbing the TowerDu FuSpring on the Brocade River comes from heaven and earth; drifting clouds over Jade Rampart change from past to present.
  10. Sent to Li Dan YuanxiWei YingwuOften ill, I long for my fields and village; with refugees in my county, I am ashamed of my pay.
  11. Written at the Wangchuan Estate after Long RainWang WeiOver the wide, misty paddies white egrets fly; in the deep shade of summer trees orioles sing.
  12. Seeing Off Sheriff Li, Demoted to Xiazhong, and Sheriff Wang, Demoted to ChangshaGao ShiGibbons crying in the Wu Gorge will bring a few lines of tears; geese returning past Hengyang will carry how many letters?
  13. Passing Through HuayinCui HaoLofty Mount Hua looks down on the capital; no blade could carve its three peaks.
  14. Recalling the Past at Xisai MountainLiu YuxiHow many times have people grieved over the past? The mountain, as before, rests its head on the cold current.
  15. By the Qujiang, Two Poems: No. 1Du FuOne petal flying takes away from spring; ten thousand blown on the wind truly sadden me.
  16. Never SeenShen QuanqiNorth of the White Wolf River letters have stopped; south of Red Phoenix City the autumn night is long.
  17. For Supervising Secretary GuoWang WeiWithin the palace the bell rings sparsely as the offices grow late; birds call in the chancellery, and the clerks are few.
  18. Climbing the Phoenix Terrace at JinlingLi BaiThe Three Hills half drop away beyond the blue sky; the two waters part around White Egret Isle.
  19. A Guest ArrivesDu FuThe flower path has never been swept for a guest; my wicker gate opens today for the first time, for you.
  20. Gazing out over the CountrysideDu FuWar dust across the land keeps my brothers from me; at the sky's edge I weep, one man far away.
  21. Climbing the City Tower of Liuzhou: To the Prefects of Zhang, Ting, Feng and LianLiu ZongyuanTrees on the ridges, layer on layer, block my thousand-mile gaze; the river winds like a heart twisted nine times over.
  22. Crossing South at LizhouWen TingyunFrom a few clumps of sand-grass the gulls scatter; over ten thousand acres of river fields a single egret flies.
  23. The Shrine of Su WuWen TingyunMaoling never saw him made a marquis; in vain he weeps to the autumn waves for time gone by.

Song

16 works

960–1279

  1. Passing LingdingyangWen TianxiangSince ancient times who has escaped death? Keep a crimson heart to shine on bamboo annals.
  2. Visiting the Village West of the MountainLu YouWhere mountains multiply and streams double one doubts there is any path; amid shady willows and radiant blossoms emerges yet another village.
  3. Replying to Ziyou's Poem Recalling Old Times at MianchiSu ShiWhat is a life, wandering from place to place? It must be like a flying swan treading on snowy mud.
  4. Venting My IndignationLu YouWarships in night snow at the Guazhou ferry; armoured horses in autumn wind at Dasan Pass.
  5. At Ehu, Matching the Rhymes of My Elder Brother the InstructorLu JiuyuanThe work of ease and simplicity will in the end be lasting and great; the enterprise of fragmentation will after all drift and sink.
  6. Composed by Imperial Command on the Lantern FestivalCai XiangHeaven's clear light lingers this evening; on earth a mild air holds back the spring gloom.
  7. In Reply to Ding YuanzhenOuyang XiuI doubt the spring wind ever reaches this edge of the world: in the second month the hill town has seen no flowers.
  8. Song of Flowers Worn in the HairShao YongI have lived through two generations of peace and seen four reigns at the height of glory.
  9. Feelings Lodged in WordsYan ShuMoonlight flowing over the pear-blossom courtyard; a light breeze over the willow-catkin pond.
  10. QingmingHuang TingjianA thousand years on, who knows the wise from the fool? Weeds cover the same mounds.
  11. Summer DaysZhang LeiSparse blinds invite the moon's shadow; a hollow pillow takes in the clamour of the stream.
  12. New BambooLu YouA clear breeze sweeps the ground and autumn comes first; under the red sun, noon passes unseen.
  13. Autumn Reflections on Greed and FameLu YouOnly at leisure do you feel a day as long as a year; drunk, even matters as big as heaven can rest.
  14. An Outing in the CountrysideCheng HaoDrink your fill and refuse no cup; I only fear the wind will scatter the blossoms.
  15. Visiting the Moon HallCheng HaoClouds idly mirrored in the water; under the trees a spring's sound comes of itself.
  16. Written by ChanceCheng HaoWatched in stillness, all things are content in themselves; the fine joys of the four seasons are shared with all people.

Ming

4 works

1368–1644

  1. Ode to CoalYu QianI only wish that all the common people be fed and warm, and I will not shrink from the toil of coming out of the mountain forests.
  2. Deep in the Study of StrategyQi JiguangTo be made a marquis is not my wish; I only hope the sea waves will be calm.
  3. Reading BooksYu QianBooks are as affectionate as old friends; morning and evening, in sorrow and joy, they keep me company.
  4. Seeing Off the Celestial MasterZhu QuanAt dawn he rides a single crane through the sky; at night among men he unties his two ducks.