Wang Wêi
The foliage of spring shelters multitudes from rain;And now, when the heavens are propitious for action,Here is our Emperor ready—no wasteful wanderer.
(43, 9)
IN MY LODGE AT WANG-CH'ÜAN AFTER A LONG RAIN
The woods have stored the rain, and slow comes the smokeAs rice is cooked on faggots and carried to the fields;Over the quiet marsh-land flies a white egret,And mango-birds are singing in the full summer trees. . . .I have learned to watch in peace the mountain morning-glories,To eat split dewy sunflower-seeds under a bough of pine,To yield the post of honour to any boor at all . . .Why should I frighten sea-gulls, even with a thought?
(107)
HARMONIZING A POEM BY
PALACE-ATTENDANT KUO
PALACE-ATTENDANT KUO
High beyond the thick wall a tower shines with sunsetWhere peach and plum are blooming and the willow-cotton flies.You have heard in your office the court-bell of twilight;Birds find perches, officials head for home.
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