Rhapsody & Parallel Prose · LT402

Short Rhapsodies

Intimate, lyrical short rhapsodies reflecting personal melancholy and beauty.

10works

4dynasties

8authors

Han

202 BCE – 220 CE2 works
  1. Rhapsody on Returning to the FieldsZhang HengIn the auspicious second month of spring, the weather is mild and air pristine; plains and wetlands burst in luxuriant bloom. Inspired by Laozi's admonition, I steer my carriage toward my thatched cottage.
  2. Rhapsody on Expelling PovertyYang XiongMaster Yang devoted his mind to the Changes and Mystery, with nothing but four bare walls, composing this 'Rhapsody on Expelling Poverty'. Poverty replied: 'Only you and I have kept each other company into old age. Though you wish to drive me out, I alone cannot bear to abandon you!'

Three Kingdoms

220–2803 works
  1. Rhapsody on the Goddess of the Luo RiverCao ZhiGraceful as a startled swan, supple as a swimming dragon. Radiant as autumn chrysanthemums, luxuriant as pines in spring.
  2. Rhapsody on Ascending the TowerWang CanAscending this tower to gaze in all directions, using leisure hours to dispel my sorrow. Beholding the ground where this pavilion rests, truly spacious and with few rivals. Yet though it is truly beautiful, it is not my native soil—how could it suffice to make me tarry even a little while!
  3. Rhapsody on Secluded LongingCao ZhiLeaning against the refreshing heights of the tower, gazing upon endless long islands. Heart aching with bitter sorrow, longing yet unable to behold the beloved. I wish to entrust my wings to returning wild geese, bearing my frail feathers across ten thousand li.

Jin

265–4202 works
  1. Return HomeTao YuanmingPast mistakes cannot be undone, yet the future can be pursued. My wrong path went not far: today's choice is right, yesterday's was false.
  2. Rhapsody on Autumn Inspiration · ExcerptPan Yue (Pan An)In the fourteenth year of Jin, when I was thirty-two years of age, I first saw grey hairs. Sorrowful yearning stirred my thoughts, sighing to return to my native village. Climbing high terraces to gaze into the distance, resting my eyes upon woods and streams.

Northern and Southern

420–5893 works
  1. Rhapsody on a Small Garden · ExcerptYu XinContent with a single branch, why need the bird a vast forest? Drinking a single scoop, what need has the puddling water for immense depth? Fishes of one or two inches, bamboos of three or two stalks. Clouds fly toward Chu and Shu, winds sweep over the Yellow River and Tong Pass. Fallen leaves cover half the bed, wild blossoms fill the room.
  2. Rhapsody on Spring · ExcerptYu XinIn Yichun Garden spring has already returned, within Pixiang Palace maids fashion spring gowns. Peach petals change hue resembling powder rouge, newly unfurled willow leaves not yet spun like silk. Butterflies encircle orchids, birds brush against flower tips.
  3. Rhapsody on the Dancing Crane · ExcerptBao ZhaoFluttering and soaring together in unison, dispersing apart and spreading wide. Heaven freezes and Earth closes in frost and snow. Crying clear notes into the ninth heaven, spreading agile wings across ten thousand li.