Anonymous

 

Pre-T'ang

 

Carpe Diem

 

Translated by Herbert A. Giles

 

 

 

 

 

 

Man reaches scarce a hundred, yet his fears

Would fill a lifetime of a thousand years.

When days are short and night's long hours move slow,

Why not with lamp in search of pleasure go?

This day alone gives sure enjoyment - this!

Why then await tomorrow's doubtful bliss?

Fools grudge to spend their wealth while life abides,

And then posterity their thrift derides.

We cannot hope, like Wang Tzu-ch'iao1, to rise

And find a paradise beyond the skies.

 

1Ts'ui Wen-tzu was a man of Tái-shan who studied for sage hood under Wang Tzu-ch'iao.

 

Tzu-ch'iao transformed himself in to a white rainbow serpent to carry elixir to Wen-tzu. The latter was amazed and frightened by the apparition, drew forth his dagger axe and struck the serpent, hitting it and causing it to drop the elixir. When Wen-tsu bent down to look, he discovered the corpse of Tzu-ch'iao. Wen-tzu placed the body in a room and covered it with an old blanket. Later, the remains transformed in to a great bird, and when Wen-tzu lifted the blanket to look, off it soared.

 

 

Anonymous

 

 

 

Pre-Tang

 

 

 

The Lady Lo-Fu

 

 

 

Translated by Charles Budd

 

 

 

 

On a bright and sunny morning,

From her mother's house there came,

One who needed no adorning,-

Lo-Fu was the lady's name.

 

On her arm a basket swinging,

Made of silk her own hand weaves,

Forth she wanders blithely singing,

Bent on gathering mulberry leaves.

 

From her head in graceful tresses

Falls the fine and lustrous hair,

While each shapely ear caresses

Just one pearl of beauty rare.

 

Purple bodice, broidered quaintly,

Silken skirt with amber lace,

Gave the touch demure and saintly

to her sweetly winsome face.

 

Travellers dropped the loads they carried,

And in wonder stroked their chin;

Young men, whether free or married,

Doffed their hats a glance to win.

 

Farmers stay their hand in ploughing,

Peasants stand as in a dream,

Now and then the trees allowing

Of the girl a passing gleam.

 

On this morn an envoy passing

From a mission to the sea,

Where much wealth he'd been amassing,

Saw Lo-Fu beneath a tree.

 

For her silkworms food providing,

Work she did with greatest zest;

All her friends around residing

Owned her silk was of the best.

 

Near the tree the Envoy stopping

With his escort in array,

Soldiers boughs of mulberries lopping

Helped to make a fine display.

 

From his retinue emerging

Came the Envoy's trusty man,

Who his master's message urging,

Gently asked her name and clan.

 

'Lo-Fu,' came the answer promptly,

'Of the ancient house of T'sin!'

Adding too a little loudly,

'And my age is seventeen.'

 

'Will you join me?' asked the Envoy,

'Sharing all my wealth and power,

All the treasures of this convoy

Would not far exceed your dower!'

 

'You have a wife,' she answered coldly,

'And most foolish are I fear;

I,' she added firm and boldly,

'Also have a husband dear.

 

'And my husband is the leader

Of a thousand horsemen brave,

Midst whom not one base seceder

Would another captain crave!

 

'On his charger, white and fiery,

'Mongst the troop he's first espied,

Soldier-like, erect and wiry,

With his keen sword by his side.

 

'When but fifteen he enlisted

Without patronage or fame,

And at twenty, unassisted,

Officer at Court became.

 

Then at thirty, unexpected,

Captain in the Royal Clan;

Now at forty he's selected

Chief commandant of Ch'ang-an.

 

'Gallant, but of gentle bearing,

When the battle's fought and won,

For the praise of men less caring

Than the meed for duty done.

 

'Yes, a clear-eyed, clean-souled hero

Is the man I'm praising now,

And your value sinks to zero

When compared with his, I vow.

 

'True a lowly work I'm doing,

And the silk we use I spin,

But remember you are wooing

Lo-Fu of the House of T'sin!'

 

 

Anonymous

 

 

 

Pre-Tang

 

 

 

Estimating the value of a wife

 

 

 

Translated by Charles Budd

 

 

Once upon a time a husband, weary,

Of the self same face before him day by day,

Determined to dismiss his good wife promptly,

And take a new one - to her great dismay!

 

Without delay the little deal was settled,-

The husband on his purpose being bent,-

The new wife through the front door entered grandly,

The old one through a side door sadly went.

 

One day the old wife to her home returning,

From gathering wild flowers on the mountain side,

Met with her quondam master in the valley,

And, kneeling, asked him how the new one vied!

 

'The new wife,' said the husband very slowly,

'Has beauty that is equal to your own,

But still her hands are not so deft and useful,

Nor can she compass so much work alone.

 

'The new wife's hands are very skilled in weaving,

Embroidered satins with her dainty touch;

The old wife's fingers, faster and unwearied,

Of useful fabrics weave five times as much.

 

'So when I reckon up the charms and uses

Of goodwives, number One and number Two,

There's little room within my mind for doubting,

I had the better bargain when I'd you.'

 

 

Anonymous

 

 

 

Pre Tang

 

 

 

Muh-Lan

 

 

Translated by Charles Budd

 

Muh-Lan's swift fingers flying to and fro

Crossed warp with woof in deft and even row,

As by the side of spinning-wheel and loom

She sat at work without the women's room.

But tho' her hand the shuttle swiftly plies

The whir cannot be heard for Muh-Lan's sighs;

When neighbours asked what ills such mood had wrought,

And why she worked in all-absorbing thought;

She answered not, for her ears did ring

The summons of last evening from the King,

Calling to arms more warriors for the West,

The name of Muh-Lan's father heading all the rest,

But he was ill - no son to take his place,

Excuses meant suspicion and disgrace;

Her father's honour must not be in doubt;

Nor friend, nor foe, his stainless name shall flout;

She would herself his duty undertake

And fight the Northern foe for honours sake.

Her purpose fixed, the plan was soon evolved,

But non should know it, this she was resolved;

Alone, unknown, she would alone the danger face,

Relying on the prowess of her race.

A charger here, a saddle there, she bought,

And next a bridle and whip she sought;

With these equipped she donned the soldier's gear,

Arming herself with bow and glittering spear,

And then before the sun began his journey steep

She kissed her parents in their troubled sleep,

Caressing them with fingers soft and light,

She silently passed from their unconscious sight;

And mounting horse she with her comrades rode

Into the night to meet what fate forebode;

And as her secret not a comrade knew,

Her fears soon vanished as the morning dew.

That day they galloped westward fast and far,

Nor paused until they saw the evening star;

Then by the Yellow River's rushing flood

They stopped to rest and cool their fevered blood.

The turbid stream swept on with swirl and foam

Dispelling Muh-Lan's dreams of friends and home:

Muh-Lan! Muh-Lan! she heard her mother cry-

The waters roared and thundered in reply!

Muh-Lan! Muh-Lan! she heard her father sigh-

The river surged in angry billows by!

The second night they reached the River Black,

And on the range that feeds it, bivouac;

Muh-Lan! Muh-Lan! she hears her father pray-

While on the ridge she hears the Tartars' horses neigh;

Muh-Lan! Muh-Lan! her mother's lips let fall!

The Tartars' camp lets forth a bugle call!

The morning dawns on men in armed array

Aware that death may meet them on that day;

The winter sun sends forth a pallid light

Through frosty air on knights armour bright;

While bows strung tight, and spears in glittering rows

Forebode the struggle of contending foes.

And soon the trumpet blare - the fight's begun;

A deadly Melee - and the Pass is won!

The war went on, and many a battle field

Revealed Muh-Lan both  bow and spear could wield;

Her skill and courage won her widespread fame,

And comrades praised, and leaders of great name.

Then after several years of march and strife,

Muh-Lan and others, who had 'scaped with life

From fields of victory drenched with patriot's blood,

Returned again to see the land they loved.

And when at last the Capital was reached,

The warriors, who so many forts had breached,

Were summoned to the presence of the King,

And courtiers many did their praises sing;

Money and presents on them, too, were showered,

And some with rank and office were empowered;

While Muh-Lan, singled out from all the rest,

Was offered fief and guerdon of the best.

But gifts and honours she would gladly lose

If she might only be allowed  to choose

Some courier camels, strong and fleet of pace,

To bear her swiftly to her native place.

 

And now, at last, the journey nears the end,

And father's, mother's voices quickly blend,

In - 'Muh-Lan, Muh-Lan! welcome, welcome, dear!'

And this time there was naught but joy to fear.

Her younger sisters decked the house with flowers,

And loving words fell sweet as summer showers;

Her little brother shouted Muh-Lan's praise,

For many proud and happy boastful days!

The greetings o'er, she slipped into her room-

Radiant with country flowers in fragrant bloom-

And changed her soldier's garb for woman's dress:

Her head adorned with simple maiden's tress-

A single flower enriched her lustrous hair-

And forth she came, fresh, maidenly, and fair!

Some comrades in the war had now come in,

Who durst not mingle in the happy din;

But there in awe and admiration stood,

as brave men do before true womanhood;

For not the boldest there had ever dreamed,

On toilsome march, or when swords flasher and gleamed

In marshalled battle, or on sudden raid,

That their brave comrade was a beauteous maid.