Classical Poetry · LT106

Regulated Octaves

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

37works

5dynasties

26authors

Tang

24 works

618–907

  1. Spring ViewDu FuBeacon fires have burned through three months; a letter from home is worth ten thousand pieces of gold.
  2. Farewell to Vice-Magistrate Du on His Posting to ShuWang BoIf within the four seas a bosom friend remains, heaven's farthest edge is next door.
  3. Autumn Twilight in the Mountain DwellingWang WeiBright moon shines among the pines; clear spring flows over rocks. Though spring blossoms fade at will, the noble recluse may naturally stay.
  4. Mission to the FrontierWang WeiAcross the vast desert a lone column of smoke rises straight; over the long river the setting sun hangs round.
  5. Visiting an Old Friend's CottageMeng HaoranGreen trees encircle the village edge; emerald mountains slant beyond outer walls. Opening windows toward threshing yards, winecups in hand we talk of mulberries and hemp.
  6. Gazing on Mount TaiDu FuSomeday I shall surely mount the highest peak, and look down upon all other mountains dwarf-small!
  7. Climbing HighDu FuBoundless falling leaves rustle and shower down; unending Yangtze waters surge and roll on. Ten thousand leagues away lamenting autumn, forever a wandering guest; enduring a lifetime of sickness, all alone I climb the high terrace.
  8. The Brocade ZitherLi ShangyinOn vast azure sea bright moon weeps pearly tears; in Lantian under warm sun fine jade generates mist. Could this deep affection wait only to become a distant memory? Even at that very moment, one was already lost in melancholy daze.
  9. Early Departure from Mount ShangWen TingyunCockcrow at thatched inn under the moon; footprints upon the frost of wooden bridge. Oak leaves carpet mountain trails; trifoliate orange blossoms brighten post-station walls.
  10. To the Neighbor Maiden · Easy to Find a Priceless GemYu XuanjiShy of the sun, shielding with gauze sleeves; melancholy in spring, sluggish to dress. A priceless gem is easy to attain, yet rare indeed is a devoted lover. Weeping secretly upon the pillow, broken-hearted amidst flowers. When you yourself can gaze upon dashing Song Yu, why fret over Wang Chang?
  11. Gazing with Sorrow in Jiangling, Sent to Zi'anYu XuanjiMaple leaves in thousand and ten thousand branches; dusk sails move sluggishly past the river bridge. My heart pining for you is like the West River's surge, coursing eastward day and night without ever ceasing.
  12. Seeking Lu Hongjian Without Finding HimJiaoran (Monk Jiaoran)I knock at the gate, but no dog barks; about to leave, I ask at the house to the west.
  13. Presented to Grand Tutor QianGuanxiu (Monk Guanxiu)The hall is full of guests, three thousand drunk among flowers; a single sword, chill as frost, holds fourteen prefectures.
  14. Inscribed on a Mountain Dwelling's Wall in Late Spring (No. 1)Guanxiu (Monk Guanxiu)The brushwood gate is quiet, the millet rice fragrant; smoke rises from the mountain home as the spring rain clears.
  15. Early Plum Blossoms · Deep in the Snow of the Front VillageQiji (Monk Qiji)Ten thousand frozen trees seem ready to snap; solitary roots alone awaken with hidden warmth. Deep in the thick snows of the forward village, last night a single branch blossomed into flower. The breeze wafts secret fragrance forth; birds peer down upon its pure white charm.
  16. Hearing That the Imperial Army Has Recovered Henan and HebeiDu FuI turn to look at my wife and children: where has their sorrow gone? Rolling up my books and poems any which way, I am wild with joy.
  17. Grass on the Ancient Plain: A FarewellBai JuyiWildfire can never burn it all away; when the spring wind blows, it comes to life again.
  18. Welcoming Rain on a Spring NightDu FuIt follows the wind, slipping secretly into the night, moistening all things finely, without a sound.
  19. Yellow Crane TowerCui HaoAs the sun sets, where is my home village? Mist and waves on the river make one sorrow.
  20. The Chancellor of ShuDu FuHe led the army out but died before victory came, forever making heroes weep until their robes are soaked.
  21. Untitled: Hard It Is to MeetLi ShangyinThe spring silkworm spins its silk until it dies; the candle's tears dry only when it has burned to ash.
  22. In Reply to Letian, Who Gave Me a Poem at Our First Meeting in YangzhouLiu YuxiBeside the sunken boat a thousand sails go by; before the sickly tree ten thousand trees burst into spring.
  23. Passing Through Zou and Lu, Sacrificing to Confucius and SighingLi Longji (Emperor Xuanzong of Tang)He sighed over the phoenix, lamenting his ill fortune; he grieved for the unicorn, bemoaning that his Way had come to an end.
  24. The Imperial Capital, Ten PoemsLi ShiminThe Qin river land makes a mighty imperial seat; the Hangu Pass makes the royal residence imposing.

Song

5 works

960–1279

  1. Passing LingdingyangWen TianxiangSince ancient times who has escaped death? Keep a crimson heart to shine on bamboo annals.
  2. Visiting Shanxi VillageLu 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.