Pre-T'ang Poetry

doi:10.1017/S0041977X00100126

Pre-T'ang Poetry

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 December 2009

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The following poems have never been translated before. I have added to my translations only such comments as are indispensable. I hope in a subsequent essay to discuss the importance of pre-T'ang poetry, and to give references to the sources which I have used.

Type: Papers Contributed
Information: Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies , Volume 1 , Issue 1 , February 1917 , pp. 33 - 52

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0041977X00100126 [Opens in a new window]
Copyright: Copyright © School of Oriental and African Studies 1917

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^{page 33 note 1} Since this was written, a translation of the four poems bY T'ao Ch'ien (p. 46) has appeared in Germany.

^{page 33 note 2} i.e. Kiu-kiang in Kiangsi.

^{page 33 note 3} Shantung.

^{page 34 note 1} Hades.

^{page 34 note 2} The phrase , which follows this line, is a formula for introducing the last part of a song and simply means “In conclusion ”.

^{page 35 note 1} A water-clock.

^{page 36 note 1} There is no trace of it left. This passage describes the havoc of war. The harvest has not been gathered: therefore corn-offerings cannot be made to the spirits of the dead. For this campaign against the Huns, see Wieger, Textes Hisloriques, i, 478.

^{page 37 note 1} This poem was obviously written when the capital was at Lo-yang, i.e. during the Eastern Han dynasty, which started in 25 A.D. It cannot, therefore, be by Mei Sheng, who died under the previous dynasty.

^{page 37 note 2} High officers.

^{page 38 note 1} The Lo Shēn , who is the subject of Ts'ao Chih's famous “Lo Shen Ballad ”, which was illustrated by Ku K'ai-chih in a roll which now belongs to Mr. Charles Freer of Detroit. Her name is here used generically to mean “the beautiful women of the capital ”.

^{page 40 note 1} Odes, v, 10.

^{page 43 note 1} Notes of the scale.

^{page 43 note 2} , Ch'ü-ch'ēng. Obviously the birthplace of a famous swordsman but I have not identified him. There was a place of this name in Shantung.

^{page 45 note 1} For these famous writers see Giles' Biographical Dictionary.

^{page 45 note 2} Names of two tombs.

^{page 45 note 3} In the early days of the dynasty a man stole a handful of earth from the Imperial tombs and was executed by the police. The Emperor was furious at the lightness of the punishment. Yün-mēn said to Meng Ch'ang-chün (died B.C. 279): “Does it not grieve you to think that after a hundred years this terrace will be cast down and this pond cleared away ?” Mēng Ch'ang-chün wept.