Part 13 (1/2)

_So-fei gathering Flowers_

BY w.a.n.g CHANG-LING

In a dress of gauzy fabric Of the 'Lien' leaf's emerald hue So-fei glides amongst the lilies Sprinkled with the morning dew.

Rose-hued are the lotus-blossoms, Rose-hued, too, the maiden's cheeks; Is it So-fei's form I follow, Or the flowers she seeks?

Now I hear a song arising From the lotus bowers, Which distinguishes the maiden From her sister flowers.

_A Farewell_[48]

BY LI TAI-PEH

Far up the Song-Yang's sacred mountain, Unrestrained by lock or bridge, Plows a pure and peaceful streamlet 'Neath the 'Gem-Maid's' gra.s.sy ridge.

There at eve midst pine-trees sombre Looms the large and l.u.s.trous moon; And within my ancient dwelling You I hope to welcome soon.

Yes, my friend, I'll come to see you At the closing of the year, In your home among the mountains, Where you live without a fear.

Deep in searching for the Chang-pu, With its bloom-flushed purple flower, Which endows the happy finder With immortal life and power.

Ere I come you may have found it, And to realms where genii dwell Winged your flight upon the dragon, Bidding to our earth farewell.

[48] Poems similar to this one are frequently written by literary men in China when bidding farewell to a friend.

_The Khwun-ming Lake_

BY TU FU

In ancient times the flags of Wu[49]

Made gay the Khwun-ming Lake,[50]

On which his s.h.i.+ps in mimic strife The decks of foemen rake.

But now deserted is the scene, And in the moon's pale light, The Spinning-Maid[51] upon the sh.o.r.e Sits silent in the night.

The Autumn breezes seem to move The mammoth stony whales,[52]

And send a tremor through their frames Vibrating all their scales.

The Ku-mi[53] seeds float on the waste, As clouds of sombre hue; The lotus-flowers are crushed beneath The weight of frozen dew.