Literature endures like the universal spirit,
And its breath becomes a part of the vitals of all men.
translated by Witter Bynner & Kiang Kang-hu
T’ang Dynasty
A Brief but Happy Meeting with my Brother-in-law by Li Yi
After these ten torn wearisome years
We have met again. We were both so changed
That hearing first your surname, I thought you a stranger—
Then learning your given name, I remembered your young face . . .
All that has happened with the tides
We have told and told till the evening bell . . .
Tomorrow you journey to Yo-chou,
Leaving autumn between us, peak after peak.
translated by Witter Bynner & Kiang Kang-hu
On Hearing a Lute-player by Liu Chang-ch’ing
Your seven strings are like the voice
Of a cold wind in the pines,
Singing old beloved songs
Which no one cares for any more.
translated by Witter Bynner & Kiang Kang-hu
from Strolling Along the Riverbank, Looking for Flowers: Seven Quatrains: One Section by Tu Fu
Masses of flowers and plants envelop the riverbanks;
Walking there, unsteady in my steps, I’m really afraid of spring.
My verses and my wine I can still manage:
There’s no need yet to look after this white-haired one.
translated by Irving Y. Lo
from Farm Routine by Ch’u Kuang-hsi
My family greet me with mocking smiles;
But never would I have changed my mind.
translated by Joseph J. Lee
The Cowherd: A Song by Ch’u Kuang-hsi
It matters not if the pasture is far;
It matters not if the slope is steep.
Whether or not the cattle are tame or wild,
The cowherd’s mind is always calm.
A round bamboo hat over my head,
And a long palm-leaf coat to cover my body.
They’re good against summer showers
And good for days cloudy and cold.
The big cows are hidden behind the slopes;
The little ones dart in and out of nearby woods.
All things seem to please each other;
And they move me to sing and chant.
Joy is found in a moment;
Who would ask for a finer tune?
translated by Joseph J. Lee
from Poem Two of Meandering River, Two Poems by Tu Fu
I’d whisper to the wind and light: “Together let’s tarry;
We shall enjoy the moment, and never contrary be.”
translated by Irving Y. Lo
from To the Waters of the Chia-ling, Two Poems: Poem Two by Yüan Chen
You, waters with no feeling,
Have you regrets as you flow east?
In my heart are things I cannot express,
Does that make me different from you?
translated by William H. Nienhauser
from Orchid and Orange (A Plea for Official Preferment): II by Chang Chiu-ling
Here, south of the Yang-tsze, grows a red orange-tree.
All winter long its leaves are green,
Not because of a warmer soil,
But because its nature is used to the cold.
Though it might serve your honourable guests,
You leave it here, far below mountain and river.
Circumstance governs destiny.
Cause and effect are an infinite cycle.
You plant your peach-trees and your plums,
You forget the shade from this other tree.
translated by Witter Bynner & Kiang Kang-hu
On Hearing a Flute at Night from the Wall of Shou-hsiang by Li Yi
The sand below the border-mountain lies like snow,
And the moon like frost beyond the city-wall,
And someone somewhere, playing a flute,
Has made the soldiers homesick all night long.
translated by Witter Bynner & Kiang Kang-hu
Leonard Durso 