A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems

Po Chü-i was born at T’ai-yüan in Shansi. Most of his childhood was spent at Jung-yang in Honan. His father was a second-class Assistant Department Magistrate. He tells us that...

By Ch’ü Yüan (332-295 B.C.), author of the famous poem “Li Sao,” or “Falling into Trouble.” Finding that he could not influence the conduct of his prince, he drowned himself in...

Han, 206 B.C.--A.D. 220. Wei, 220-264. Chin, 265-419. (Northern Wei, ruled over the North of China, 386-532.) Liang, 502-556. Sui, 589-618. T’ang, 618-905. Sung, 960-1278. Yüan...

When I was young, throughout the hot season There were no carriages driving about the roads. People shut their doors and lay down in the cool: Or if they went out, it was not to...

I sent out invitations To summon guests. I collected together All my friends. Loud talk And simple feasting: Discussion of philosophy, Investigation of subtleties. Tongues loose...

Shady, shady the wood in front of the Hall: At midsummer full of calm shadows. The south wind follows summer’s train: With its eddying-puffs it blows open my coat. I am free fro...

Business men boast of their skill and cunning But in philosophy they are like little children. Bragging to each other of successful depredations They neglect to consider the ult...