Chinese poems

Here are some favourite Chinese poems - all from 170 Chinese Poems translated by Arthur Waley.

(A boy and girl are sent to gather rushes for thatching)

Green rushes with red shoots,
Long leaves bending to the wind -
You and I in the same boat
Plucking rushes at Five Lakes.

We started at dawn from the orchid-island:
We rested under the elms till noon.
You and I plucking rushes
Had not plucked a handful when night came!

When I was young, I was out of tune with the herd:
My only love was for the hills and mountains.

Unwitting I fell into the Web of the World's dust
And was not free until my thirtieth year.

The migrant bird longs for the old wood:
The fish in the tank thinks of its native pool.

I had rescued from wildness a patch  of the Southern Moor
And, still rustic, I returned to field and garden.

My ground covers no more than ten acres:
My thatched cottage has eight or nine rooms.

Elms and willows cluster by the eaves:
Peach trees and plum trees grow before the Hall.

Hazy, hazy the distant hamlets of men.

Steady the smoke of the half-deserted village,
A dog barks somewhere in the deep lanes,
A cock crows at the top of the mulberry tree.

At gate and courtyard - no murmur of the World's dust:
In the empty rooms - leisure and deep stillness.

Long I lived checked by the bars of a cage:
Now I have turned again to Nature and Freedom.

Swiftly the years, beyond recall.
Solemn the stillness of this fair morning.

I will clothe myself in spring-clothing
And visit the slopes of the Eastern Hill.

By the mountain-stream a mist hovers,
Hovers a moment, then scatters.

There comes a wind blowing from the south
That brushes the fields of new corn.

We go to the Golden Palace:
We set out the jade cups.

We summon the honoured guests
To enter at the Golden Gate.

They enter at the Golden Gate
And go to the Golden Hall.

In the Eastern Kitchen the meat is sliced and ready -
Roast beef and boiled pork and mutton.

The Master of the Feast hands round the wine.

The harp-players sound their clear chords.

The cups are pushed aside and we face each other at chess:
The rival pawns are marshalled rank against rank.

The fire glows and the smoke puffs and curls;
From the incense-burner rises a delicate fragrance.

The clear wine has made our cheeks red;
Round the table joy and peace prevail.

May those who shared in this day's delight
Through countless autumns enjoy like felicity.

I sent out invitations
To summon guests.
I collected together
All my friends.

Loud talk
And simple feasting:
Discussion of philosophy,
Investigation of subtleties.

Tongues loosened and minds at one.
Hearts refreshed
By discharge of emotion!

Families, when a child is born
Want it to be intelligent.

I, through intelligence,
Having wrecked my whole life,
Only hope the baby will prove
Ignorant and stupid.

Then he will crown a quiet life
By becoming a Cabinet Minister

I have been ill so long that I do not count the days;
At the southern window, evening - and again evening.

Sadly chirping in the grasses under my eaves
The winter sparrows morning and evening sing.

By an effort I rise and lean heavily on my bed;
Tottering I step towards the door of the courtyard.

By chance I meet a friend who is coming to see me;
Just as if I had gone specially to meet him.

They took my couch and placed it in the setting sun;
They spread my rug and I leaned on the balcony-pillar.

Tranquil talk was better than any medicine;
Gradually the feelings came back to my numbed heart.

"Those who speak know nothing;
Those who know are silent."

These words, as I am told,
Were spoken by Lao-tzu.

If we are to believe that Lao-tzu
Was himself one who knew,
How comes it that he wrote a book
Of five thousand words?