i l T H E FO R T L I P O
D 0 1 - 6 2 ( A . . 7 7 )
' ' Y A RTH U R WALEY
I NTR ODU CTI ON
SIN CE the Middle Ages the Chi nese have been almost
a re ard i n Li P o e e e et un nimous in g g as th ir gr at st po , and ‘ the few w h o a e i v en th e to h v g , first place his contemporary a e th e e Li Tu F u hav e usu lly accord d s cond to . One is reluctant to disregard the ve rdict of a people upon
W e are et e i ts et . e or own ‘ po s som im s told by Frenchm n h e e e e e e Russians t at Oscar Wild is gr at r than Shak sp ar . W e are te mp ted to reply that no foreigner can be qualifi ed to decide such a poin t . Yet we do not in practice acc e pt the judgm e n t of othe r
o n - n a tions upon th eir w literature . To most Germans Schill er is still a great poet ; but to the rest of Europe hardly one at all . I t is co nsoling to discove r that on some Germans
Lilien kro n e e e e t he ( , for xample) Schill r makes pr cis ly h e e as e e o n . w . e sam impr ssion do s us And similarly , if
e t the t e te Li P o w e e cannot acc p curren stima of , hav at
’ l east th e satisfaction of knowing that some of Chin a s most
e a re on e b A D 8 e e e . h . 1 6 t e e c l brat d writ rs our sid A out . po t P o Chii - i wrote as follows (he is discussing Tu F u a s w ell “ ' Li P o T h e accl aims Li P o i ts m e et as ) world as ast r po . I grant that his works show u npara ll el ed tal en t and origin
a t bu t not one ten a ef li y, in contains any mor l r l ection or
e de pe r m eaning . ' 2 T/ze P oet L z P o
’ Tu F u s poe ms a re v e ry num e rous pe rhaps about o f t h e m a re worth pre se rving . I n the art of stringing t oge th e r a llu s i o ns a nci e nt and mode rn a n d in th e skill of his v rs ifi c tio n th e re a e e h e L P e a in gul r m tr s e e v e n xc els i o . B ut such po ems as the and such lin es as
At th e ala e ate the e of e and eat P c G , sm ll win m ; Out th e oa one wh o has o e to eat in r d, fr z n d h
a f fo rm only a sm ll proportion o his whol e work . T he poet Yuan ChE n (7 7 9 - 8 3 1 ) wrote a famou s e ssay Li P F comparing 0 with T u u . ” At e h e a th e e F u Li this tim , s ys at tim of Tu ), P o from Shantung was a lso c elebrated for his remarkabl e
th e a he e t wo e e e e writings , and n mes of t s w r oft n coupl d
e t e e e tog h r. I n my judgm nt , as regards impassion d vigour o f e ee e a e styl , fr dom from conv ntion l r straint , and skill in th e e e e of e e m r d scription xt rior things , his ballads and songs a re ce rtainly worthy to rub shoulde rs with F u . ' u t in
o f t he e e of t he disposition s v ral parts a poem , i n carrying bal a nce of rhyme and ton e through a composition of se ve ral
e o r e e e e of a hundr d v n in som cas s a thous nd words , in grandeur of inspiration combin ed with harmonious rhythm
ee ee e e e and d p f ling , in emphasis of parall l claus s , i n xclu — sion of t he vulgar or modern i n all t h ese qu alities Li is
’ o a e e not w rthy to appro ch Fu s front hedg , let alon his ” inn er chamb er 1 ’ e e t e the S ubs qu n writ rs , adds the T ang H istory (
e r e ee work in which this ssay is p eserv d), have agr d with ” u e Y an Ch n . Wa ng A n -shih ( 1 0 2 1 the great reformer of the “’ e e e e e : Li P o s I S et lev nth c ntury , obs rv s style swift, y
e e e e e e . n v r car l ss ; liv ly , yet nev r informal B ut his intel
out or l e ctual outlook was low and sordid . I n nine poems
r ten h e de als with nothing but wine o wom e n .
‘ “’ ” t h e Yli H u a H u t i ci r ca 1 1 2 0 I n Yin Ts ung , ( ) “ ’ : A n- e e says Wang sh“ih , in num rating China s four e e e oet . 0 . Gil s , Chin s P ry , p 9 T/ze P oet L i P o 3
e a te et Li P o th e . gr st po s, put fourth on list Many vulgar
e e e e e e a e e The ea o p opl xpr ss d surpris , but W ng r pli d r s n
’ why vulgar p eople find Li P o s poetry congenial is that it is
e e e asy to e njoy . H is intell ctual outlook was m an and
o f ten e e o r sordid , and out po ms nine deal with win
e e e e e th e e e wom n n v rth l ss , abundanc of his tal nt makes it
’ impossibl e to lea ve him ou t of account . ’ - e A D . 1 0 0 e Finally H uang T ing chi n ( . 5 accept d
th e e e of e te by Chin s as one th ir greatest wri rs , says with ’ “ refe rence to Li s poe try : T he qu est fo r unusual expres
was e sions is in itself a literary disease . I t , inde d , this fashion which caus ed the decay which s et in after the Chi en -an period a t the beginni ng o f th e third c en tury
b e To th ese nativ e strictures v ery littl e n eed e add d . ’ N o one who reads much of Li s poetry in the original can fa il to notic e the t wo de fects which are e mph a siz ed by th e
- . T m ar e Sung critics h e long poe s e ofte n ill construct d .
e e e h e e e e Wh re , for xampl , wish s to conv y an impr ssion of
he e e th e horror is apt to xhaust hims lf in first quatrain , and
t he of th of rest e poem is a network straggling repetitions .
e f w a e t V ry e of th ese longer poe ms h v e be n ranslated . The
e o e e of e o ne s c nd d f ct, his lack vari ty , is which would only
s e t e e e e f trik hos who hav r ad a larg number o his poe ms . Transl a tors h a ve naturally made their sel ections a s varied
a s e e th e e possibl , so that many of thos who know po t only in trans“lation might feel inclin ed to d efend him on this - e . A n two a re scor According to Wang shih , his subjects
e . The e e n t e win and women s cond do s o , of cours , imply
e - e bu t e t th e e e t lov po try , s n iments put into mouths of d s r ed
e a wiv s and concubin es . Such th em es re always felt by th e ’ Ch i e to be e ori c al the e e e lad n se in part all g , d s rt d , y, symbol the m izing — iniste r whose counsels a wick ed monarch will not “fi g T sar
h e th e e e e e Suc po ms form dullest s ction of Chin s po try , ’ e Li e e s . and are c rtainly fr qu nt in , works B ut his most monotonous feature is the m echanical recurre nce of c e rtain 4 Tée P oet L i P 0
hou n T he obsession o f impermanence has ofte n b ee n sub
l imat d e t Li P o e e into gr a mystic poetry . I n it r sults only
' d l s resta tement in en es of obvious facts .
ee e e z e e t I t has , I think , b n g nerally r ali d that his str ng h
e not e the oe . li s in the cont nt , but in form of his p try
e h e was a - i t the e e Abov all , song wr ter . Mos of pi c s translated pre viously and most of those I am going to r ea d
” - a re e . te t to day songs , not po ms I t“is no worthy tha his e e the tombston bor the inscription , H is skill lay in ” e a e e writing of archaic songs . H is imm di te pr d ec ssors had c a rri e d to the high est re fine m e nt th e a r t of writing i n ’ e e e Li s e e e a re e laborat patt rns of ton . I n whol works th r said to be only nine poe ms in th e stric t s e ven - characte r
o f e a re th e old m etre . Most his familiar short po ms in
t e e t t he a e e of . s yl , which n glec s formal arr ng m nt tones
T e e e e a h valu of his po try lay in b uty of words , not in
U e one e e e e b eauty o f thought . nfortunat ly no ith r h r or in
c an e th e e e we China appr ciate music of his v rs , for do not
know how Chin e s e was pronou nced in the e igh th ce ntury .
e t o th e e C e e e e Ev n mod rn hin se , his po try xists mor for
a r th e eye t han for the e . T he last point to which I shall refe r is the e xtrem e
‘ a e m to M SW This ch ract ristic , co mon
t e e e a n l ext re me om t th e mos Chin s po try , is carried to p in
- fift - n e t e e th e e y in Old S yl po ms with which works b gin , N ot only d o th ey bristl e with th e nam es of historical
’ e e b ut a e e e w m p rsonag s , lmost v ry phras is borro ed from so e ’ O n e e te to a e t A n - classic . is t mp d qu rr l wi h Wang shih s
s tate m e nt that p e ople liked the poe ms b ecaus e th e y - w ere
' N m e e a e t o t ea sy to e njoy. o od rn could und rst nd th m wi h u
t e . e e et pages of comm e nt ary o each po m But Chin s po ry ,
few e e t ee t e n e wi t h a xc p ions , has b n wri t n on this pri cip l ' Tfie P oet L z P o 5
h e a o ne P o - i e since t H an dyn sty ; poet alone , Chu , brok
t e e e e hrough the r straints of p dantry , rasing ev ry expression
not e t hat his charw oman could und rstand . Tra nsl a tors have naturally a voided the most allusiv e poe ms and hav e omitte d or ge ne ra li z ed such allusions as
e e e e e e z occurr d . Th y hav fr qu ntly fail d to recogni e allusions
e s a e e e as such , and hav mi transl t d th m accordingly, oft n
turning proper n a mes into rom a ntic se ntim e nts .
’ d e Li s e t e e ue . r puta ion , lik all succ ss , is partly to accid nt
' te e a e r ec l i se d u r i n t he Af r suff ring t mpora y p Sung dynasty, d g
he a e a th e e e c m back into f vour in sixteenth c ntury, wh n
t the a e e e mos of popul r anthologi es w re made . Th s com
il ati on s e te e e h e p d vo an inordinat spac to his works , and h as b e e n he ld in corresponding esteem by a public whose w k no l edge of poe try is chi e fly confined to a nthologi es . S erious lite ra ry criticism has bee n d ead in China since t e th e a e e are e te hat tim , and v luations th n mad still acc p d . ’ L e H a v i s h a m s e e ik M iss clock , which stopp d at tw nty
e h er e - d a the o f e te to nin on w dding y, clock Chinese s em
to e Li Po e h s pp d at c nturies ago , and has stuck t ere ever sinc e . B ut I ve nture to surmis e that if a doze n repres entativ e
e e e e the English po ts could r ad Chines po try in original , they would none of th e m give eith e r th e first or s econd plac e to Li P o . X X X L 2 5 “ LI E O LI O O T H E N E W I O O TH E F F P , FR M H ST RY F T ’ D T O O E D I T H E E LE VE ANG YNAS Y, C MP S N NTH
CE NTU RY.
’ Li P o t e T a i - o e e e th e , s yl d p , was d sc nd d in ninth ge n e ra t th e - * ion from E mp eror H sing shé ng . O ne of his ancestors was charged with a crim e at the end of t h e Sui ’ ‘ d na st r o e e T e h y y, and to k r fug in urk stan . At t e beginning o f h - t e p e r iod ShE n lung i th e family re turn ed and s e ttl ed in
' >r “ Li Ka - o. A D . 8 1 1 . 5 6 1 8 . - A . D . 0 I 7 5 7 0 7 . ’ 6 Tfi e P oet L z P o
“’ P a - hs ifi At his birth P o s moth er dreamt of th e plan et ’ - e e h e e P s Ch ang k ng 'V nus] , and that was why was call d o t At te n he h ad mas te re d th e Book of Odes a nd B ook
f h e o H istory . When gre w up h e retired to the M in
a e e e e th e Mount ins , and v n wh n summon d to provincial
’ e h e e e e W e u T xaminations mad no r spons . h n S ing i
e e e I - h e e P 0 a nd b cam Gov rnor of chou , was i“ntroduc d to , e e : m a n was astonish d by him , r marking This has con
e spic u ou s natural tal nts . I f h e had more l earning he would be e Ssu- e e h e wa s a s cond ma H siang H ow v r,
e e t a nd e e on e o f int r sted in poli ics fond of f ncing , b coming t hos e knight -errants who care nothing for wealth and much
r fo almsgiving . ’ ’ ’ e he e en- c h én - fu Onc stay d at j g ll with K ung Ch ao , ’ ’ P i - e e e . H an Chun , Ch ng , Chang Shu ming, and T ao M i n
’ e La i we e e They liv d on Mount Ch u , and r d ad drunk
P t th th e e ve ry day . eople called h em e Six H e rmits of
e Bamboo Str am . ’ ‘ At the b eginning of the T i e n - pao period ll h e w ent south
' - Y Yim e e e un . to K u i chi , and becam intimat with Wu Wu
e the e P o e t was summon d by E mp ror , and w nt wi h him to
’ - H - e n e h e . Ch ang a . Her e visit d o Chih chang Wh n Chih
of h e e You are chang read some his work , sigh d and said ” h e P0 e a . H e t e e an xiled f iry told E mp ror , who s nt for and
T h e gave him audience in the Golde n B ells H all . e po t submitted an essay dealing with curre nt e v e nts . Th e E mp eror bestowed food upon him and stirre d the soup with
ow n H e e e be his hand . ord r d that he should unofficially
e the Li n e P o on attach d to H an Acad my , but went drink
- - ing in th e mark et place with his boon companions . Once wh en th e E mp eror was sitting in th e Pavilion of
e e of e e Alo s Wood , he had a sudd n stirring h art , and want d
e P o P 0 to write a song expressive of his mood . Wh n
I n Szechwan . ” ” P o te was a o a a e of th e a et Ve . l , whi , p pul r n m Pl n nus
e ' o . D t. N o . I Gil s , i g ic ,
2 . I i r ca A . D . . fl C e N o . a t 4 Gil s, n n Sh n ung 7 Tfi e P oet L i P o 7
e e e th e s h e t e nte red in ob di nc to ummons, was so drunk tha
e t o a e a e th e courtiers w ere oblig d dab his f c with w t r .
h e ha d e e e t e h e s e e Wh en r cov r d a lit l , iz d a brush and
e of e wi th out a ny effort wrot a composition flawl ss grace .
’ T he Empe ror was so pl eas ed with P o s tal e nt that wh en ev e r h e w as feasting o r drinking he always had this po e t to
e e P 0 th e e wai t upon him . Onc wh n was drunk E mp ror ’ Li— o ff P o s e ord ered 'th e eunu c h] Kao shih to tak e sho s .
Li - e e t shih , who thought such a task b n a h him , took ’ re v enge by affe cting to discov er in o ne o f P o s poems a
’ v eil ed attack o n 'th e E m pe ror s mistress] Yang
- K u ei fei . Wh en ev e r th e Emp eror thought o f giving the poe t some
- d a a e fe i e e e a n e . official r nk , Ku i int rv n d dissu d d him
P o e o e t a he te to hims lf, s on r alizing h t was unsui d Court
e e to e e e e e e lif , allow d his conduct b com mor and mor r ckl ss and unrestra in ed .
et e e - Li - Tog h r with his fri nds H o Chih chang , Shih chih ,
’ P e u - - S u a Chin , rinc of J yang , Ts ui Tsung chih , C hin , Ch ng
H s u a nd a h e e the , Chi o Sui , form d association known as
he th W n u t Eight I mmortals of e i ec p . H e begged p ersist e ntly to be allo wed to retire from
At t th a Court . las e E mp eror g v e him gold and s ent him P h . o e t e e e e e away roam d country in v ry dir ction . Onc ’ h e went by boat wi th Ts ui Tsung- chih from Pi e n - shih to
H e o e e r Nanking . w r his mbroid ered Cou t cloak and sat
th e t h e e e th e e e as proudly in boa as though w r king of univ rs .
e th e Lu - e t e o u t h e Wh n An shan r volu ion brok , took
e e Su— e t to living som tim s at sung, sometim s on Moun ’ -l u K uang .
Li n P e e th e a , rinc of Yung, gav him post of assist nt on
’ - a Li n t . . e h e e to P é n tsé his st ff Wh n ook up arms, fl d g
e Li n e e a e P 0 e e t o e Wh n was d f t d , was cond mn d d ath . ’ e P o t e T a i - E u h e ee Wh n firs visit d yuan , had s n and * e K u o T z u- i ne T z u-i w . o a e a s admir d On occ sion , wh n
a ou e e a th e a o of th e a t . A f m s G n r l , s vi ur dyn s y 8 Tée P oet L i P o
the Li Po to accus ed of breaking law , had come his
e as sistance and had him rel ased . ’ N ow e of P o s e m e t T z u- i e e e , h aring pr dica n , thr at n d to
P r e e e e t h resign unl ess o we e sav d . The Emp ror r mitt d e se nte nc e of dea th and changed it to o ne o f pe rpetu al e xil e a t * Y - e t he w a s e e h e a e eh lang . But wh n amnesty d clar d c m
e e a b ack to Kiukiang . H r he was put on tri l and se n t
to a ' u t e e o -ssu wa s g ol . it happ n d that Sung J marching
e e s o a H e to Honan wi th thr e thousand soldi r fr m K i ngsu .
e t e e e th e pass d hrough K iukiang on his way , and r l as d
r e t e e H e Li P o a n t e o n p ison rs h r . gave appoin m nt his
ta P o e e . s ff. soon r sign d
’ Li - e e r - P o When Yang ping b came Gov rno of T ang tu ,
n t h m we t o liv e n ear i . L T he E mperor Tai Ts u ng ] wish ed to raise him to the
o f e e ' u t e the o er a e P 0 w a s rank S nior R vise r . wh n rd c m
e e d e e th e a e f e t e alr ady d a , having r ach d g o som wha ov r
e e e e th e T s sixty. H is last years w r d vot d to study of aoi m .
H e e the I e ea onc crossed Bull sland Eddi s and , r ching
- K u e te , e e th e ee shu , was d ligh d by a plac call d Gr n H ill ,
c l a the e e of t h e e a H e e e whi h y in stat H si h f mily . xpr ssed to e e e he e t e e a desire be buri d ther , but wh n di d h y buri d
- him at Tung lin .
’ th e e nd the - ho - c hé n At of period Yuan , I Fan Ch uan g ,
‘ e t H sti an She Gov rnor of the dis ricts and 'in Anhui], poured a libation on his grav e and forbade th e wood men to
th e t cut down rees which gre w there . ’ H e fo r Li P o s e e sought d sc ndants , but could only
a - te w ho e find two gr nd daugh rs , had both marri d common
e s r e e a n of ee . e p asant , but still tain d air good br ding Th y
e e e t he e e : app ared b for Gov rnor we ping , and said Our ’ gra ndfather s wish was to be buri ed on top of the Gree n
' h - . u t e t e e H ill they mad his g rave at eastern hill bas , ” which is not what h e desired . ’ Fan Ch uan -c hé ng had the grave mov ed and set up two
e e tombston e s . H told th e ladi es th y might change th eir
” - - I . 6 0 8 06 8 2 1 n Yunnan r Reign ed 7 3 78 . 1 . ' Th P oet L z P o 9
nd t th e t e husbands a marry in o official classes , but h y
e e a t t e e e e e to a t r fus d , s ying hat h y w r pl dg d isol ion and e pove rty and could not marry again . Fan was so mov d by th eir reply that he exempted th e ir husbands from national
e e the e W en T eate se rvic . A r script of E mp ror sung cr d th e e th T ee P a : Li P 0 e cat gory of e hr ragons , of po try ;
’ P e i Mi n H sii e , of swordsmanship ; and Chang , of cursiv
a ca lligr phy .
’ Most of th e accoun ts of Li P o s life which h a v e hitherto the appeared a re base d on th e biography give n in vol . v . of “ ” e e a M émoires Conc ernant Les Chinois . I t is vid nt th t “se veral of th e frequ ently quoted an ecdotes in th e M émoires a re p a rtly based on a misunderstanding
the e e e t d u e to the e of Chin s t x , partly liv ly imagination of t e T h e - r e he J suits . e Sung writer H si h Chung yung ar ang d
’ in chronological orde r all the information a bou t the poet s
’ e be e T a e lif that can glean d not only from the ng histori s , but also from the poe ms th emselv es . I n the communications of the G esellschaft fur Natur und
V lk rku nd 1 8 e e o e e 8 . e , 9 , Dr Flor nz mak s som rather hap
h a z ard and inaccurate s elections from this chronology . “’ T he L e the N ew e e e if in T ang H istory has , I b li v ,
T h L th e n eve r be fore b een translated in full . e ife in “’ ” so -called Old T a ng H istory is short e r and contains
a sev eral mistak es . Thus Li is s id to h a v e bee n a nativ e
h P e of t e e e . rovinc Shantung, which is c rtainly untru T he following addition al facts a re based on state me nts in ’ s th e po et s own work .
a a D h e e e A. 0 With r g rd to his marri g in . 7 3 writes to a
’ friend T h e land of Ch u h as s ev en swamps I w ent to
’ at a t look th em . But H is Excell e ncy H su s house I was
fe e the a of r - a te e e t e e of r d h nd his g and d ugh r , and ling r d h r ” the s of t ee a H e e e e during frost hr utumns . th n s ms to
e a e H su e a t a hav ab ndon d Miss , who was impati nt his l ck
o H a of prom tion . e afterw rds m a rri e d succe ssively M iss
Li n Lu . e e e e e , M iss , and M iss Sung Th s w r , of cours ,
e no t W a r o t e . e e a he f wiv s , concubin s t ld h t was fond o ’ 1 0 Tfi e P oet L z P o
going about with the dancing-girls of Chao - yang and
- H . e one A . D . Chin ling had son , who died in 79 7 “ t e h i s th e e o th e Wi h r gard to part in r voluti n , N ew
e a e H istory s e ms som ewh t confus ed . I t is probabl tha t his s ojourn i n th e prison at K iuki a ng took pl a ce before a nd
a te e ee a e a not f r his d cr of banishm e nt . I t is lso unc rt in
e t e h e e h e e e e the e e Li n t wh h r knew , wh n nt r d s rvic of , hat t his princ e w a s about to tak e up arms aga inst th e E mper or . T h e Chin e s e hav e reproach ed P 0 wi th ingra titud e to his
e i t ea be I mp rial patron, but would app r that abandoned
P Li n h h rinc e as soon as t e latter joine d t e revolution . A mysterious figure m e ntione d in th e poe ms is the ” P e o f P ei - ha i m the H igh ri st 'in Shantung], from who
A D 6 . poet rec eived a diploma of T a oist profici e ncy in . . 74
’ Li Yang -ping give s th e following account of P o s death W“h en he was about to hang up his cap 'a n euph emism for dying Li P 0 was worri ed at t he thought that his
a n d num erous rough drafts had not b ee n collected arranged .
L on h e e e m e e ying his pillow , gav ov r to all h is docum nts , ” t e e that I migh put th m in ord r . “’ T h e Old T ang H istory says that his illn ess was d u e to e e e e t e the xcessiv drinking . Th r is no hing improbabl in
a . e e e e a h e e di gnosis Th r is a l g nd th t was drown d while , m a king a drunke n e ffort to e mbrace th e re fl ection of th e
th e te a e nd h as ee moon in wa r . This ccount of his b n
te e e e adop d by Gil s and most oth r E uropean writ rs, but already in t he t welfth c e ntury H ung Mai pointed ou t that
’ th e story is inconsisten t with Li Yang -ping s auth entic evid e nce . T h e truth may be that he contracted his last illness as h t e result of falling into the water whil e drunk . “ The legendary Li P 0 is th e subject of the sixth tale in Chin Kb ’ ” a t a ate . a e o te et o e e 1 8 . H e Ch i Ku n , r nsl d by T P vi in C n s N uv ll s , 3 9 ” a o fi e the o o a t a Th e o e o e . ls gur s in M ng l dyn s y pl y, G ld n T k n Tlze P oet L i P 0 1 1
T H E TE XT O F T H E PO E MS .
t e te n alu mni T he first edi ion of the po ms was in , and was ’ - publish ed by Li Ya ng ping in the y ear of the poe t s d ea th .
Th e preface tells us th a t Li P o had lost his own M S S . of almost all the poems written during t he eigh t y ears of his
— f w e e t to 6 1 . e wand rings hat is , from about 7 5 3 7 A copi s
e 0 W ei had been procured from fri nds . About 7 7 H ao
e e of t e céii cm e produc d an dition w nty , many additional po ms
a h ving com e to light in th e interval .
8 Yo e th e e fi ve I n 99 Shih add d pros works, consisting of
e e v a riou s refac es e e i nsc ri l tt rs and p , p titions, monum ntal p
etc tions, . I n 1 080 Sung M in -ch i n published the works in thirty
h e r ch um t e o e . e a e , f rm in which th y still exist Th r just und er poe ms and about sixty prose pi eces . I n 1 7 59 an a nnota te d edition was publish ed by Wang
’ ' ‘ c/zi i cm Ch i , with six of critical and biographical matter added to the thirty ch um of the works . I t is this edition which has bee n chi efly us ed by European readers and to which references are m a d e in t he present f h . o paper . I t was reprinted by t e Sao Yeh C o Shanghai in 1 908 . The text of the poems is remarkabl e for the number of
e e e variant r adings , which in som cas s affect crucial words
e e e e e e e -or in quit short po ms , in oth rs xt nd to a whol lin
e th r e coupl et . A printed t xt of e thi teenth c ntury containing the annotations of Yang T z u-chien is gen erally followed in curre nt editions . This is known as th e H siao text a
Ming reprint of it is som etim es met with .
th e of the e At beginning eighte nth century , a Sung
ed e a e the of print dition c m into hands a M r . M iu at
c e e i t a Soo how ; he r print d in f csimil e . This is known as th e t M iu ext . As th ere is no m eans of deciding which of
e th e et e t e thes two has b t r au hority, my choic of readings has
ee e e e e e b n guid d by p rsonal pr f r nce . 1 2 Tire P oet L i - P o
TRANS LATI ONS
' ' 6 E N o . 7 . KU F NG ,
’ T he T a i hors e cannot t hink of Yu e h
n Th e birds of Yii eh have n o love for Ye . F eeling a nd chara cte r gr ow ou t of h a bit
’ A pe opl e s customs cannot be changed . Onc e w e march ed from th e Wild Goose G a te ;
N ow we are fighting in front of th e Dragon P e n . S tartl ed sands blur t h e d es e rt sun
F lying snows bewilde r the Tarta r sky . Lic e swarm in o u r plume d caps and tige r co a ts h O ur spirits tre mbl e lik e th e flags w e rais e to t e wind . H a rd fighting get s no rew a rd or pra is e
S tea dfastn ess and truth cannot be rightly kn o wn . * Li th e t Who was sorry for , Swif of Wing ,
P’ ‘ Wh e n his white h ea d v a nish ed from the Three Fron ts l
1 T H E P I I I . DISTANT ARTING
Long ag o th ere w e re t wo qu ee nsI c a lled H u a ng a nd
e t n th e e th e Ying . And th y s ood o shor s of Hsiao
’ h e - w a t e L t . e hsi ng , to south of ak Tung ing Th ir sorro w a s d e ep as th e wate rs of the La ke th a t g o stra ight
a a h e e t e . down a thousand mil es . D rk clouds bl ck n d sun
h a nd t t Shoj o' howl ed in t e mist ghos s whistl ed in he rain .
T he u e e w e e w e t e q ns said , Though sp ak of it canno m nd
e e e e o n o u r it . H igh H av n is s cr tly afraid to shine loyalty .
Li a e 1 2 Ku ng, di d 5 f a a o o a an T ta o t e . M nchuri n , M ng li n d urkes n fr n i rs e e ee e e th e a te of th e E e o Yao wh o a e t e 1 Th s qu ns w r d ugh rs mp r r , g v h m ’ a a e to and a ate a o . te in m rri g Shun , b“dic d in his f v ur Shun s minis rs c on a a t an d s t n e spired g ins him e th e Great Vii o th thron e. A legend says tha t th e spots o n the bamboo-leaves which grow on th e Hsi ang River were th tea o f t e t c aus ed by e rs h se wo queens .
th a a I u se e J pan es e form as b ein g m ore f miliar . A kind of d emon
m onkey is m eant . Tbe P oet L i P 0 1 3
th e t e a e e o i ts a e a e But hund r cr sh s and b ll ws ng r , th t whil
Yao a nd Shun a re h e re th e y should also be crowning Yij .
e e es e a t th e t Wh n a princ los his s rv n s , dragon urns into a
e ? e oe a e e e to minnow . Wh n pow r g s to sl v s , mic chang t igers .
t i s e e a Some say tha Yao shackl d and hidd n aw y , and
s th a“t Shun has di ed in the fi eld . ' u t t h e e e e t e e a Nin H ills of D c it stand h r in row , each like each a nd which of th e m cove rs th e lon ely bon e s ?” o f th e e - e e O ne a e Doubl y d , our M st r
the e e t e w o . So royal ladi s w p , standing amid y llo cl uds
e te o e th e w es t e e Th ir ars foll w d inds and wav , tha n v r
e t e t e e t e e o u t th e r urn . And whil h y w pt , h y look d into
m - distance and saw th e de ep oun ta in o f Ts a ng w u . “ f Th e moun ta in o f T s a ng -w u s h all fall a nd th e wate rs c
t he a e e o e a the a ou r tea r H siang sh ll c as , so n r th n m rks of s
- a sh all fad e from t h es e bamboo l e v es . 'Of “this poe m and t he Szechwa n Road a critic h a s said : Yo u could reci te th e m all d a y wi th o ut growi ng tired of
I T H E ' C W I I . . 4 S E H AN ROAD
e e ' e e Eh u H ow dang rous , how high I t would be asi r
o e e t h a t climb to H av n han to walk t e Sz echwan Ro d .
’ ’ e T T Yii F u e th e a Sinc s an s ung and rul d l nd , forty eight thousand yea rs had gon e by ; and s till no hum a n
’ foot had passe d from Shu to th e fron t i e rs of Ch in . To ’ the e T a i - o e e - w st across p Shan th r was a bird track , by
ne to the e f - th t which o could cross ridg o O mi . B ut e ear h * h e a n d e e e e of t e hill crumbl d h ro s p rish d .
a e So afterwards t hey m d sky l add e rs a n d hanging bridges .
e ea o f a t th e a t o f Abov , high b cons rock th t urn back ch rio
h e o t e . e e t t ee t the a e of sun B l w , whirling ddi s ha m w v s th e e t a n d r e t e a curr n d iv h m aw y . E v en th e wings of th e
Th e h eroes were fi ve strong m en s ent by th e King of Shu to fetch ’ the five a te of th of d ugh rs e King Ch in . 1 4 l e P oe; L i P o
a n e yellow cranes c n ot carry them across , and the monk ys
grow weary of such climbing . H ow the road c urls in the pass of Green M ud '
' ni ne tu rns th With in a hundred steps it twists up e h ills .
the e Clutching at Orion , passing W ll Star, I look up and
. e gasp Then b ating my breast sit and groan aloud . I fear I shall n ever r eturn from my westward wande ring
e th e b the way is ste p and rocks cannot e climbed . Sometim es the voice of a bird calls amo ng the ancient
e —a e e the tr es mal calling to its wif , up and down through i woods . Sometimes a n ghtingale sings to the moon , weary of empty hills . I t would be easi er to climb to H eaven than to walk the S z echwan Road and those who hear the tale of it turn pale with fear . Between the hill - tops and the sky there is not a Cubl t S
- space . Withered pine trees hang leaning over precipitous walls .
Flying waterfalls and rolling t orrents mingl e their di n .
f e Beating the clif s and circling the rocks , th y thunder in a thousand valleys .
' ou e Alas O traveller, why did y come to so f arful a
? o n place The S word Gate is high and j agged . I f e P man stood in the ass , he could hold it against ten tho usand . The guardian of the Pass leaps like a wolf on all who are not his kinsmen . I n the daytime one hides from ravening tigers and in ’ the ni ht e g from long serp nts , that sharpen their fangs and
me n . lick blood , slaying like grass
e th e Th y say E mbroidered City is a pleasant place , but
I had rath e r be safe at home . For it would be easier to climb to H eaven than to walk the S z echwan Road .
I turn my body and gaz e longingly towards the West .
'Wh en Li P o cam e to th e capital and show ed this poe m ’ ’ H o C - - e to hih ch ang , Chih ch ang raised his yebrows and “Tke P oei L i P 0 1 5 : are a o f said Sir , you not man this world You must ’ ind eed be the ge nius of th e s tar T a i - po
1 I I I . 5 . FIGHTING
Last y ear we were fighting at th e sourc e of th e San -kan
This year we a re fighting at the Onion River road . W e hav e w a sh ed o u r s words in t he surf of I ndian sea s W e h a v e pastured o u r horse s a mong th e snows o f T i e n
z ‘ Shan .
T ee e and ol d hr armi s have grown gray ,
Fighting ten thousand l eagu es a way from hom e . T he H uns have no t ra de but battl e and c a rnage
e a e s e or Th y h v no pa tur s ploughlands ,
But only wastes wh ere whi te bon es l i e among yellow sands . ’ Wh ere the hous e of Ch in built th e great wall that was
ee th e T t to k p away ar ars ,
T e e I n I ts th e e e of War. h r , turn , hous of H an lit b acons Th e b eacons are alwa ys a light fighting and marching
e n v er stop .
M en d ie th e e a to in fi ld , sl shing sword sword
Th e ho r s es of th e conqu ered n eigh piteously to H eav en .
r a nd e fo r C ows hawks p ck human guts , Carry th e m in th eir b eaks and hang them on th e branch es
of e with red trees . Captains and soldi ers are smeared on the bush es and grass The G en e ral sch emed in v a in K now th e refo re that th e swo rd is a cursed thing
th e Which wise man uses only if he must .
I I I . 1 6 . DRINKING SONG
See the e o f the e e e e wat rs Y llow Riv r l ap down from H eav n , Roll awa y to the d ee p sea a nd n ev e r turn again I See at th e mirror in th e H igh H all Aged m e n bewailing whi te locks
th e ea of I n morning , thr ds silk I n th e ev e ning flak e s of s now 1 6 Tée P oet L i P o
Snatch the joys of l ife as t hey come and use them to the fill
e th e e Do not leav silv r cup idly glinting at the moon . T he things H eav e n made Man was m eant to u se A thousand guild e rs scattered to the wind may come back
a gain . Roast mutton and sliced beef will only taste w ell
I f you drink with th e m at one sitting three hundred cups .
’ ’ e T s en a n Mast r Ts ,
’ o t - D c or Tan ch iu ,
e e e : not H r is win do stop drinking ,
e e . B ut list n , pleas , and I will sing you a song
e fi ne ”m to B lls and drums and food , what are y me , P Who only wan t to ge t drunk and nev e r aga in be sobe r Th e Saints and Sages of old tim es a re all stock and still ;
Only the mighty drinkers of wine have l eft a nam e behind .
’ Wh en the king of Ch en ga ve a feast in the Palace of ’ P ing -lo Wi th twenty thousand gallons of wine he loosed mirth and
play . The master of t h e feast must not cry that his money i s all spent ;
Let to e him send the tavern and f tch more , to keep your
e glass s fill ed . H is fi ve -flow er horse and thousand -guilder coat Let him c all his boy to tak e them along and sell th e m for
good wine , That drinking together we may drive away the sorrows o f
a thousand years .
T H 6 . E S N I I I . 2 U
t e e e e of O Sun tha ros in the ast rn corn r Earth ,
L e e ooking as though you cam from und r the ground ,
e ou e e sea Wh n y cross d the sky and enter d the deep , 7‘ Where did you stabl e your six dragon - steeds
1 8 T/ze P oet L i P 0
Who a re th ese gaily riding
a th e - long river bank ,
ee ee fiv e fi ve Thr by thr and by , ? glinting through th e willow - boughs Deep the hoofs o f th e ir n e ighing roans sink into th e fall e n leave s ;
e see e e The rid rs , for a mom nt paus ,
and are gone with a pang at h eart .
’ - I V . 2 4 . CH ANG K AN
e e Soon aft r I wore my hair cov ering my for head ' l of the e was plucking flowers and playing in front gat ,
e ou e a - Wh n y cam by , walking on b mboo stilts * th e ee . Along the trellis , playing with gr n plums
’ W e e the e of - both liv d in villag Ch ang kan ,
e . Two childr n , without hate or suspicion At fourte en I became your wife ;
- I was sham e faced and n eve r dare d smile . I sank my h ead against th e dark wall ;
e to not . Call d a thousand times , I did turn At fifteen I stopped wrinkling my brow
And desire d my ash es to be m ingl ed with your dust . I thought you were lik e th e man who clung to the bridge :T N ot gu essing I should climb the Look - for- H usband
T e rrace , ;t
e ou But n xt year y went far away ,
’ ’ - T o Ch ii t ang and “the Whirling Water Rocks . I n th e fifth month one should not v en tiI re there
“” I t a to e t a bed or ai ea t as t e to is h r“d b lieve h t ch r is m n , hi h r t a ate . e o e e o a e . r nsl d Tr llis is , h w v r, nly gu ss h e not i A man h ad promis ed to m eet a girl under a bridge. S did o e bu t a t o th e ate e a to e be t te so fi h er c m , l h ugh w r b g n ris , rus d rmly in o t at h e to th e a of th e e and a te t h e was w rd , h clung pill rs bridg w i d ill o e dr wn d . I So call ed becaus e a wom an waited th ere so long for her husb and th at sh e turn ed in to ston e. ’ ' uotati on from th e Yangtze boatman s song
“ ’ Wh en Yen-yu is as big as a m an s h at ’ ’ - One sh ould not v enture to m ak e for Ch u t ang . T/ze P oet L i P 0 1 9
e Where wailing monkeys cluster in th e cliffs abov .
O f the e e I n front door, the tracks you onc mad O ne by one hav e bee n covered by green moss
e Moss so thick that I cannot swe p it away ,
And leaves are falling in the early autumn wind . Yellow with August th e pairing butterfli es
I n the weste rn gard en flit from grass to grass . The sight Of th es e wounds my heart with pain
w red e e . As I sit and sorro , my che ks fad S end me a letter and let m e know in time Wh en your boat will be going through the three gorge s P of a .
e e I will come to m et you as far as ever you pl ase ,
’ - Even to the dangerous s a nds of Ch ang feng .
V I I . 4 . RIVER SONG
- e Of satin wood our boat is mad , Our oars Of ebony ; Jade pip e s and gold flutes
P em lay at st and prow . A thousand gallons of red wine
’ W e carry in the ship s hold ’ With girls o n boa rd a t th e wav es will
W a r e e glad to drift o r stay . E ven the rishiThad to wait For a y ellow crane to ride But the s ail orj: whose h eart had no guil e h Was followed by t e white gulls . ’ ’ ’ Ch u P ing s' prose and ve rse H ang like the sun and moon ’ ’ Th e king of Ch u s arbours and towers
A re the only hummocks in ground .
ra e o th Li a “A ph s fr m e S o. Ton Tz u-an wh o was a t e ea 1 , c rri ed o H eaven by a yellow cran n r ’ Wu - a ch ng . to o L e . L a 11 a . I A s ry fr m i h Tzu , Ch Yu n
’ ’ ’ ’ a t a - a otat o o a L e SstI ma e . Pr c ic lly qu i n fr m Ch u Yu n s if , by Ch i n 2 0 T/i a P oet L i P 0
With my mood a t its h e ight I wi eld my brush And the Fiv e H ills quak e
e t he e e a e Wh n po m is don , my l ught r soars * T O the e of th e Blu I sles sky .
e e Rich s , H onour, Triumph , Fam ,
ou e e Than that y should long ndur , I t were lik eli e r th e s tre am of the Riv e r H a n Should flow to the North -West '
’ 1 1 X I I I . . SENT TO THE COMMISSARY YUAN OF CH IAO
OF X C CITY , IN M EMORY FORMER E URSIONS
e e Lo - T Do you r member how onc at yang , ung Tsao ’ ’ ? ch in built us a win e- tow e r sou th of th e T i e n - ching Bridge With yellow gold and talli es of w hite jad e w e bought
e w e e e t e songs and laught r , and w r drunk mon h aft r month ,
a nd e t with no thought Of kings princ s , hough among us
e e th e e e th e e m en w r wis st and brav st within Four S as , and
' Of high promotion . 1 (But with you abov e all my heart was at no cross
ur os a p p e . )j: Going round mountains and skirting l k es was
e e ou t e e as nothing to th m . Th y poured th ir h arts and
e minds , and h ld nothing back .
e off - th e e - e Then I w nt to H uai nan to pl uck laur l branch s , '
ou LO e and y stayed north of the , sighing ov r thoughts and
e dr ams .
W e W e e e could not endure s e paration . sought ach oth r ou t a nd e on e e th e w nt on and tog ther, xploring Fairy
Castle . “
W e - e e followed the thirty six b nds of the twisting wat rs , and all along th e strea ms a thous a nd differen t flowers w e re
W e a te n t a a e in bloom . p ssed through hous nd v ll ys , and in each we h eard th e voic e of wind a mong th e pin es .
a a o et e t o t Of as e th e e of the sea F iryl nd , s m im s h ugh b ing in middl , et a h s om im es ( s h ere) in t e sky . ” T z u Li t . e o o a e o a . T blu cl uds p e pl e . I A phr s fr m Chu ng
a -nan a o at e - a e o w to a a o oe Hu i is ss ci ed with l aur l br nch s , ing f m us p m
th of a - n an by e King Hu i . of a I] N ame m ountain . Tbe P oet L i P 0 2 1
T e the of H a n- a e . to ee h n Gove rnor tung c m out m t us , on a silver saddl e wi th tassels of gold that reach ed to the 'e r the t a e T z u- e g ound . And I ni i t of yang summon d us ,
a séén e wa s e blowing on his j d e g . And S nnin music mad ’ the e o f a ‘ ‘ th e e e e in tow r Ts an H si , i loud as bl nd d voic s of
oe ph nix a nd roc .
th e e - e e ee e And Gov rnor Of H an tung , b caus his long sl v s
not ee e th e e a e to e would k p still wh n flut s c ll d him , ros and
e h e his e e e drunkenly danced . Th n brought mbroid r d coat
a nd e e m e a n d e t ea on cov r d with it , I sl pt wi h my h d
l a his p .
th e ea ou r e th e e ea e At f st spirits had soar d to N in H v ns,
e e e e w e e e te e e t o r a but b for v ning w r scat r d lik s ars r in ,
’ a flying w a y ove r hills and r ivers to th e fronti e r of Ch u . I
e t to a t o ee e t w n back my mount in s k my Old n s , and you , W too e e the ei e . , w nt hom , crossing Bridg
e e e e a or e Th n your fath r , who was brav as l op rd tig r, becam e Gov ernor Of Ping -choui a nd put down th e rebel d ha n s t h t s m e . e . And in e fif h mon th he ent for I cross d
’ th e T a i - h a ng M ounta ins ; a nd though it was hard going
’ o n the e e no ee to e Sh p s Gut H ills, I paid h d brok n
s wh eel .
e a t a fa r o n te 1 th e e Wh n l st , into Win r , got to N orth rn
a t was e to see h ow ou e C pi al , ' I mov d much y car d for my — rec ept ion a n d how li ttl e you c a re d for the cost a mbe r
a nd fi n e s n a a e cups food o blu e j de dish . You mad me
d at a n n o t e . drunk s isfi ed . I had though Of r turning Som etim es we w ent ou t towa rds the w estern corner of
the t to ere a e e e a e fl ow th e Ci y , wh w t rs lik gr en j d round t e mple of Shu W e launch ed ou r boat and sported on
the e e e e Th e e str am , whil flut s and drums sound d . littl
e e e e a - a e th e e e - e e e e wav s w r lik dr gon sc l s , and s dg l av s w r
e ree . e i t we pal g n Wh n was our mood , took girls with us
’ ’ - 1 . e H u t i . a a ao t e of th e oet . , y ng, T is fri nd p s ’ - - l Li t . ee on et o o e t H u t i a . F ding suns cl ud T w r , buil by y ng ’ ’ - - L a T ai ii an E u . L a T ai ii an E u . 1 , y , y ’ f ~ ot e o e Ch én of th e o a t . II A br h r Princ g, Ch u dyn s y 2 2 Tee P oet L i P o
e e e e e and gav ours lv s to the mom nts that passed , forg tting
- e flowers or . that it would soon be ov r, like willow snow
o a e e e e se . R uged f c s , flush d with dri nk , look d w ll in the sun t Clear water a hundre d feet d eep refl ected th e faces Of the
— - singe rs singing girls d elicate and grace ful in the light of the young moon . And th e girls s a ng again a nd again to
th e e e e Th e ea n e the make gauz dr ss s dance . cl r wi d bl w songs away into the e mpty sky th e sound coiled in the air
e v lik mo ing clouds in fligh t . Th e pl ea sures Of thos e times shall neve r again be m et
' r . e e fe a of with I w nt W st to of r up a Ball d Tall Willows ,
th e e and but got no promotion at N orthern Gat , white
e to the e . headed , w nt back East rn H ills
w e m et th e t e e nd W e i Once at Sou h rn of Bridge , but
e re the the e scatt d again to north Of Tso T e rrac . A nd if you ask m e h ow many are my regrets at this
e e e m e parting, I will t ll you th y com from thick as the
’ e a t nd flow rs that fall Spring s e . B ut I c a nnot tell you all I feel ; I could not even if I
e n SO h b a e w nt on talki g for eve r . I call in t e oy and m k
e e to him kne l h re and tie this up , and send it you , a
s e . remembrance , from a thou and mil s away
’ 2 OF - M U XV . . A DREA M T IEN M OUNTAIN
P m e M e r e ( P or t of a oe i n I r r g u l a r t .
th e fl e w the La e . On through night I , high over M irror k The lake- moon cast my shadow on the wave s and tra v elled ’ T h e L H s ieh s with me to th e stream o f Shan . ord T
- a s e e e lodging place w still th e r . The blu waters rippl d
h a fee the cry of t e pes was shrill . “I shod my t with the shoes of th e Lord H sieh and climb ed to H e ave n o n a ” - . e ladder of dark clouds 1 Half way up , I saw the unris n
a e A. D . 1 8 a e all e O t Y ng Hsiung , di d , h ving liv d his lif in bscuri y , O e o ot o Ol d a e a oe of t t t e bt“ain d pr m i n in his g by p m his i l . - - eh L ii n ci rca A . D . 00 was a fa o o ta e who 1 Hsi ing y ( , 4 ) m us m un in climb r
- invented special m ountain climbing sh oes . ’ n f si h 1 A qu otati on from o e o H e s poems . T/i e P oet L i P 0 2 3 sun hiding behind the s ea and h ea rd th e Cock of H eav e n
e t e crowing in the sky . B y a thousand brok n pa hs I twist d
a n to e e e . d turn e d from crag crag. M y y s gr w dim I
t e a t the a nd w a s a . clu ch d rocks , all d rk Th e roar ing of bears and th e singing of dra gons echoed f amid th e ston es a nd streams . T h e d a rkn e ss o d ee p woods
a m a a t th r e e e e e . m d e fr id . I r mbl d at sto i d cliffs
Th e e a the clouds hung dark , as though th y would r in ; air was dim wi th the spray of rushing waters .
P a e Lightning flash ed : thunde r roa red . e ks and ridg s
e e e t he of th e tott red and brok . Sudd nly walls hollow
e e e e a nd o e wh r I stood sund r d with a crash , I lo k d down on
om e e e e th e e e a bott l ss void of blu , wh r sun and moon gl am d
e on a t rrace of silver a nd gold .
e e e e — - e A host of B ings d sc nd d Cloud spirits , whos coats w ere imade of rainbow a nd the horses th e y rod e - on we re th e winds .
1 6 P W XV . . ARTING ITH FRIENDS AT A WI NESHO P IN NANKI NG
T - h e wind blowing through th e willow flo we rs fills the shOp with sc ent
e e e th e e e e A girl of Wu has s rv d win and bids trav ll r tast . T h e young m e n of Nanking hav e come to see m e off ;
a nd ou t t ea I that go y hat s ay must ch drink his cup . I beg you tell the Great Rive r whos e stream flows to the E ast That thoughts of you will cling to my h ea rt I wh e n fi e has
ceased to flow .
2 AT - P T F 8 . CHIANG HSIA, AR ING ROM SUNG ’ CHIH -T I
Clear as th e sky th e waters o f H upeh F a r a wa y will j o in with th e Blu e Sea ; W e whom a t housand mil e s will soon pa rt
o u r e f Can mend gri f only with a cup o win e. 2 4 The P oet L i P o
T he v all e y birds a re singing in the bright sun
The e o riv r m nkeys wail down th e e v e ning wind .
who e e e e And I , in all my lif hav s ldom w pt
ee Am w ping now wi th tears that will never dry .
1 T H E V - XX . . W H ITE RI ER AT N AN YANG
’ a th e W e e W ding at dawn hit Riv r s source ,
e e e e th e m e n S v r d a whil from common ways of ,
T o a e t th e P a e isl nds ting d wi h colours of radis ,
e th e e Wh e r riv r sky drowns i n limpid spac e . While my eyes were watch ing th e clouds that travel to the
sea .
e th e t a th e e M y heart was idl as fish h t swim in str am . With l o ng singing I put th e sun to re s t * th e e to e a nd e . Riding moon , cam back my fi lds hom
1 T H E L L P XX . . C EAR CO D S RING
r (L i te a l Ver si on . )
’ R egre t that dropping sun s dusk ’ L e e e ov this cold str am s cl arness . Weste rn b eams follow flowing water ; ’ Stir a rippl e in wand e ring person s mind .
Idly sing , gazing at cloudy moon ; — Song don e sound o f tall pine s .
- 8 . N W NAN N X X . GOI G DO N CHUNG M OU TAIN AND S P ENDING THE N IGHT DRINKING W ITH T HE H ERMIT T OU -SSU
At dusk we l e ft th e blu e mountain -h ead
- u r e e T h e mountain moon follow e d o hom ward st ps . W e look e d round the path by which we h ad com e
Was a d a rk cl e ft across th e shoulde r of the hill . H and in hand w e reach e d the walls of the farm ;
- A young boy open ed th e wicker gate . T hro ugh gre e n bamboos a d ee p roa d ran
Wh e re da rk creepers brush ed our coats as we pas sed .
L e a a e of th e oo t . , v iling mys lf m nligh
2 6 Tfi e P oei L i P o
e e fo r e I f Earth h rself had no lov win , * T e e n ot be t e h r would a ci y call d Win e Springs .
e e e o o e e Sinc H av n and E arth b th l v win ,
e e e e e . I can lov win , without sham b for God Cl ear win e was onc e call ed “a S a int e e a Thick win was onc call e d a S ge . T
a n d e e a fe ee O f Saint Sag I hav long qu f d d p, What n eed for m e to study spiri ts and asi en ? I A t th e third cup I p e n etrate th e Gre a t Way
a — n A full g llon N ature and I are o e . B ut th e things I fe el wh e n win e possesses my soul
I will n ev e r tell to those who a re not drunk .
I N DAY X X I I I . 9 . THE M OU NTAINS ON A SU MMER
e e e e G ntly I stir a whit f ath r fan ,
e e . With op n shirt , sitting in a gre n wood I take Off my cap and hang it on a j utting stone
- A wind from th e pine trees trickles on my bare head .
XX I I I . I O . DRINKING TOGETHER IN THE M OUNTAINS '
Two men drinking together where mountain flow ers grow
O n e on e . cup , one cup , and again cup N ow I am drunk and woul d like to sl ee p
e so pl ase go away .
to- ou e Come back morrow , if y f el inclined , ” and bring your harp with you .
. F N XX I I I I O . WAKING ROM DRU KENNESS ON A S P RING DAY
V ‘ Life in th e V Ol ld is but a big dream
I will not spoil it by any labour or care .
SO u all th e d a saying , I was dr nk y,
Lying h elpl ess at the porch in front Of my door .
’ - a K ansuh . “Chiu ch u n , in “ I History of Wei Dyn asty (Life Of Hsu M o) : A drunken Vi sitor ’ a ea e I a o t a a t t e o a a e . s id , Cl r win cc un S in hick win nly S g
I o ta . 1 Rishi , mm r ls
C L ttl e R e i ew 1 1 e o a a an d . ' o e e . . i v e f , Jun , 9 7 , v rsi n by S s ki M d nh im Tli e P oet L i P 0 2 7
e e u , I e the e Wh n I wok p , blink d at gard n lawn
o e w as a th e e A l n ly bird singing mid flow rs .
e e th e ee w e t o r fi ne ? I ask d mys lf, had day b n
h - T he Spring wind was t elling t e mango bird .
e e to Mov d by its song , I soon b gan sigh ,
e e e e . And as win was th r , I fill d my own cup
a e the e Wildly singing , I w it d for moon to ris ,
e w a s e all e e h ad e . Wh n my song ov r, my s ns s gon
I LF - ' XX I I I . 3 . SE A ANDONMENT
n ot e the I sat drinking and did notic dusk ,
T ill falling petals fill ed the folds of my dress . Drunken I rose and walked to the moonlit stream f T he e e m en ew . birds wer gon , and also
’ T o T AN C XXV I . H IU
e th e a e a e My fri nd is lodging high in E st rn R ng ,
Dearly loving th e b eauty of vall eys and hills . At Green Spring h e li es in the e mpty woods
n And is still asl eep w h e n th e sun shin es o high . A pin e-t ree w ind dusts his sl eev es and coat
A p ebbly stream cl eans his h eart and ears .
e ou e I nvy y , who far from strif and talk
A - re high propped on a pillow of blue cloud .
8 . XXX . CLEARING U P AT DAW N
T he fields are chill th e sparse ra in has stopped ;
The of ee o n e colours Spring t m ev ry sid e . With l eaping fish th e blu e pond is full
With singing thrush es th e green boughs droop . The flowe rs of th e field have d a bbl e d th eir powde red ch eeks ;
The r h a mountain grasses a e be nt l evel at t e w ist . By the bamboo s tream th e l ast fragm ents of cloud
the Blown by wind slowly scatte r away .
o f th e e ee e e e 'Many above poems hav b n translat d b for ,
e a e I I I . ee o fe e . in som c s s by thr or f ur dif r nt hands But 4 , 2 6 . . 2 fa r a s . a re I I I , XV , and XX I I I 9 , so I know , t ra n sl a ted fo r th e firs t t i m e ] D I SC U SS I O N O N T H E FO RE GO I N G PA P E R
’ - TH E H A I R A E OR A M I E N : . Li T i was I a M N M r . GE SO a o m C ( G J ) Mr p , a a a bi t of a ' o e a a te and ' a a a a e e e e fr id , h mi n (l ugh r), his cch n li n xp ri nc s a h ve been rep eated in l ater d ays even with th e great p oets . I am sure you al l will join with m e in expressing a h earty vote of thanks to Mr . Waley for his address and th e very fel icitous langu age in which h e h as transl ated a
e O t e e a e t oe . I t t a e be te and re numb r f h s nci n p ms , rus his p p r will prin d p ' e e t th e e t of our u bl i cati ons e a e t e e oe as far as I c an s rv d wi h r s p , b c us h s p ms , — judge bu t h earing th em read does n ot impress one so much as reading t — h em at l eisure are well worthy of c areful p erusal . I t is curi ous to n ote h ow a ea e and m o e a At the t e t ese oe e e unch ng bl i m bil Chin is . im h p ms w r written we in Great ' ritain w ere living under King Alfred an d trying to
ee o L t . I can t u k p ut th e Da nes an d oth er things . ( augh er ) ell yo that th e e h as a Szech wan R oad as described in th e poem th at Mr . Wal y re d is h just th e sam e n ow as i t was wh en th e p oem was written . And t e s ocial
c ondi tions of the p eople are th e sam e n ow as they were at th at tim e. I a e O t r t t h v f en th ought th at Chin ese poets a e very limi ed in heir range. e f a t o a has e e Th y s eem to be defici ent in the qu ali ty O im gina i n . Chin n v r od e a O I ea e t to o e ti o bu t eat e oe . o e pr uc d gr pic p m f c urs sp k subj c c rr c n , I b elieve I am righ t in s aying th at Chin a h as n ever produced a p oet c om
a a e t o e D a te V or to . e e has ee n o one p r bl wi h H m r, n , irgil , Mil n Th r b n T he o t of a b orn wi th th e p ower of telling a story lik e H omer . p e s Chin a ea to m e to be e ot o a and e t e but a a e of an pp r m i n l d scrip iv , inc p bl y high fl a a a t at eat f t of ights of imagin ation . I think th at M ac ul y s ys h gr ligh s ’ a at o are e a to th e ea e o of a at o at o an d im gin i n p culi r rly p ri ds n i n s civiliz i n , th at s tory -telling reach es i ts high est form as an art b efore printing has been
much in vogu e. h at . R A I e t e t t e e e t . . SE R a te to t Mr M . F A F h ve lis n ed his l c ur wi h gr s te t Th e E a ea and I am a t at th e e . was a t in r s nglish p r icul rly pl sing , gl d h e tu e h as o e a a th e O to O ee e and l c r r br k n w y from ld cus m f s king rhym s , n foll owed th e French custom in th e translati o n of th es e p oems . A ma m a be an e e e t te and t a ato an d not be a oet bu t to y xc ll n wri r r nsl r, p , r transl ate foreign p oetry into E nglish c onsid erable literary gifts a e required . A L I ee ate a t be Mr . P U K N G : All of you wh o h ave b n l ly in Chin mus struck with th e extraordinary differenc e between th e China d escrib ed in
th ese p oems and th e Chin a which h as com e in to being since th e revolution .
Ideas of a v ery practic al nature h ave now taken possession Of th e peopl e. t e at a o t o e e e oet ? D o an of o O And h n , wh b u m d rn Chin s p s y us kn w f a ny ? I n my intercourse with th e Chin ese I cann ot recall a m odern who w s a I o e t at I ma a e met one and t at e e oet . t Chin s a p is p ssibl h y h v , h how he o ea . La t . O e t e te c nc led his p oetic gifts ( ugh er ) ur l c ur r lls us , Tee P oet L i P o 2 9
e e t at h e o e ta e e oet . I t o be te e t to v r , h kn ws c r in Chin s p s w uld in r s ing o t e are t e oe and h ow t e o o a e kn w if h y publishing h ir p ms , h y w uld c mp r t h e o of th e o e oet ou r o e o wi h t w rk ld r p s in p ss ssi n .
L . H E N : I to . o e o o at at . n Mr . Y C sh uld lik j in in c ngr ul ing Mr Wal ey o e ea a e and ea t t a t I t a his v ry l rn ed p p r b u iful r nsla i ons . t is quite tru e h t
there are n o epic poems in Chin ese literature. This form Of poetry h as not ee t o e a bu t I ffe t o tate e t t at b n in r duc d in Chin , di r wi h y ur s m n , Sir, h
Chin ese poetry lacks im agin ation . (Applaus e ) I could give you m any ’
ta e to the o t a t o n ot o e o . T he a t ea e ins nc s c n r ry, h ugh fr m m m ry l s sp k r s rem ark that the present Chin a is different fro m what Chin a is in Chin ese oet ma be t e bu t I ma e eto t t at th e E a as e e e te p ry y ru , y w ll r r h ngl nd r pr s n d
f - L in Shakespeare is very di ferent from the E ngland of to d ay. ( aughter T ’ i and ee . a 0 e u t ch rs ) , And Li liv
a e ea e e a a o e e e t e o . a at e h as two tate Sh k sp r liv d t m r r c n p ri d Hum n n ur s s ,
th e t a n h t a t a . You c an o h w I spiri u l a d t e c ic l c mbin e t e t o . f you h ave W ec essaril y follow th at you are lacking in th e
- t a . for e e t d a e e oet t e e are e e a a o o e spiri u l As pr s n y Chin s p s, h r s v r l f m us n s
in Chin a. ’ Since th e lecturer h as raised th e qu estion wheth er Li T ai - po or T E U th e eate oet I o sa t at th e e e of th e e e t d a u is gr r p , w uld y h Chin s pr s n y o e h ea I t t e m e as o t at E o ea c nsid r Tu Fu to be t e gr ter . s rik s curi us h ur p n ’ eo e wh o o o et a o t e e oet o e e Li T ai - o p pl kn w s m hing b u Chin s p ry sh uld pr f r p .
Perhaps very few people h ave heard of Tu E u . Certainly th ere is n o ’ translation of th e m ost imp orta nt of Tu Fu s poems in the E nglish I wh o h as t e t language. n China every child s udi d p oe ry kn ows som ething ’ a o t T u s oe T F u a e fi t th e e e e a e b u u F p ms . u is pl c d rs by Chin s b c us h e
is th e greatest n ation al p oet . H e expresses n ation al feelings in a way ’ ’ - that c an be appreciated by everyb ody . Li Tai po s poems d eal chi efly t e and o e o e and e a m wi h win w m n , l v s nsu l m fd rTfi nd ren t e o t e m , h ir j y, h ir
a th e a of th e o e and t of t at o t . I a o nguish , h rdship s ldi r , hings h s r n w rd , ’ Tu Fu s p oetry expr esses wh at we ordin ary men an d wom en wish to
express an d cann ot . LL H ' Y- E AD E : One or two o e at o o . I OU G t me Mr . G W M bs rv i ns ccur o in o f t t conn ection with th e translati on his poe ry into E nglish . Th e two re th e o- e a an d th T h greatest reading publics a Angl Am ric n e Chin ese. e Anglo- American people h ave produced an enorm ous am ount of poetry t e d o not o te ote and th e e e a e o e an which h y f n qu , Chin s h v pr duc d e o o a o t of oet a o to e e t t e ote a r eat n rm us m un p ry which , cc rding xp r s , h y qu g
ea . N ow at th e e e t o e t t at e a ' t e for d l , pr s n m m n h p culi r ri ish shyn ss qu oting p oetry seems to have larg ely disappeared in c onsequ ence of th e T e e oe a e ee tte e o wri tings of s oldi er poets . h s p ms h v b n wri n und r c ndi t o of eat a e ffi t an d o o t and it ee to m e t at i t i ns gr d ng r, di cul y, disc mf r , s ms h w ould be a very good thing if poetry illustrating th e th ought of th es e m en
- could be placed b efore th e Angl o American public . The H A I R M AN o o e a ea t ote of t a to the Le t e C pr p s d h r y v h nks c ur r,
which was carried by acclamation .