Rhapsodies · LT403

Parallel Prose

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

7works

3dynasties

5authors

Northern and Southern

5 works

420–589

  1. Rhapsody on Lament for the South (Preface)Yu XinThe sun is setting and the road is long; what kind of world is this? The general has gone and the great tree is scattered; the hero does not return and the cold wind sighs.
  2. Rhapsody on the Withered TreeYu XinYears ago I planted willows, swaying south of the Han; now I see them shedding their leaves, forlorn by the river pools. If trees fare like this, how can a man bear it!
  3. Rhapsody on PartingJiang YanWhat darkens the spirit and melts the soul is parting, and parting alone!
  4. Rhapsody on ResentmentJiang YanLook out over the plain: creeping weeds entwine the bones, and grave trees grown a span thick gather in the souls. When human life comes to this, how can one speak of the Way of Heaven?
  5. Rhapsody on the Ruined City of GuanglingBao ZhaoThe frontier wind is fierce, the walls are cold; wells and paths are gone, the grave mounds broken. A thousand years, ten thousand ages, all come alike to an end; what more is there to say!