Rhapsody & Parallel Prose · LT403

Parallel Prose

Symmetrical parallel prose with 4-6 phrasing, dense allusions, and sonic harmony.

6works

2dynasties

4authors

Northern and Southern

420–5895 works
  1. Rhapsody on Lament for the South (Preface)Yu XinThe sun is sinking and the road is far—what world is this mortal realm! Generals fought a hundred battles yet their reputations collapsed; brave warriors departed, leaving Yan and Zhao in desolate grief.
  2. Rhapsody on the Withered TreeYu XinIn bygone years I planted willows waving tenderly south of the Han River; today I see them withered and stripped, desolate upon riverbanks. If even trees suffer such fate, how can mortals bear it!
  3. Rhapsody on PartingJiang YanThat which drains the sorrowing soul in melancholy darkness—is nothing other than parting! How much more so when Qin and Wu lie in distant realms, and Yan and Zhao are separated by thousands of leagues.
  4. Rhapsody on ResentmentJiang YanGazing across the boundless plains, creeping weeds entangle bleached bones. Towering trees shelter departed spirits—when human life arrives at this end, how can the Way of Heaven even be discussed!
  5. Rhapsody on the Ruined City of GuanglingBao ZhaoBorder gales rage chill upon city walls; well-paths are erased amidst crumbling mounds. Through a thousand ages and ten thousand eras, all alike return to dust—what more can be said!

Tang

618–9071 works
  1. Preface to the Prince of Teng's PavilionWang BoSunset clouds and solitary wild duck fly together; autumn waters and the boundless sky share a single hue.