No More Learning

Fallen leaves are piled against the doors.
Longing for that lovely lady
How can I bring my aching heart to rest?

The above poem was written by Wu-ti when his mistress, Li Fu-j? n, died.
Unable to bear his grief, he sent for wizards from all parts of China,
hoping that they would be able to put him into communication with her
spirit. At last one of them managed to project her shape on to a
curtain. The emperor cried:

Is it or isn't it?
I stand and look.
The swish, swish of a silk skirt.
How slow she comes!


SONG OF SNOW-WHITE HEADS

Ss? -ma Hsiang-ju was a young poet who had lost his position at court
owing to ill-health. One day Cho W? n-chun, a rich man's daughter, heard
him singing at a feast given by her father. She eloped with him that
night, and they set up a wine-shop together.
After a time Hsiang-ju
became famous as a poet, but his character was marred by love of money.
He sold love-poems, which the ladies of the palace sent to the emperor
in order to win his favour. Finally, he gave presents to the "ladies of
Mo-ling," hoping to secure a concubine. It was this step that induced
his mistress, Cho W? n-chun, to write the following poem.

Our love was pure
As the snow on the mountains:
White as a moon
Between the clouds--
They're telling me
Your thoughts are double
That's why I've come
To break it off.
To-day we'll drink
A cup of wine.
To-morrow we'll part
Beside the Canal:
Walking about
Beside the Canal,
Where its branches divide
East and west.
Alas and alas,
And again alas.
So must a girl
Cry when she's married,
If she find not a man
Of single heart,
Who will not leave her
Till her hair is white.


TO HIS WIFE

By General Su Wu (_circa_ 100 B. C. )

Since our hair was plaited and we became man and wife
The love between us was never broken by doubt.
So let us be merry this night together,
Feasting and playing while the good time lasts.

* * * * *

I suddenly remember the distance that I must travel;
I spring from bed and look out to see the time.
The stars and planets are all grown dim in the sky;
Long, long is the road; I cannot stay.