Eden of the East

From "Masters of the Orient"...

The Book of Songs

28

Cold blows the northern wind,

Thick falls the snow.

Be kind to me, love me,

Take my hand and go with me.

Yet she lingers, yet she havers!

There is not time to lose.

The north wind whistles,

Whirls the falling snow.

Be kind to me, love me,

Take my hand and go home with me.

Yet she lingers, yet she havers!

There is no time to lose.

Nothing is redder than the fox,

Nothing blacker than the crow.

Be kind to me, love me,
Take my hand and ride with me.

Yet she lingers, yet she havers!

There is no time to lose.

Manyoshu

From the "Hitomaro Collection"

Composed on the Spot

Like the bubbles on the water

That echoing by the hill of Makimuku,

Frail human thing, am I.

Love in Autumn

Let none, born after me,

Ever, ever meet, as I did.

Such ways of love!

I have lost a true man's mettle,

Day to night and night to day

I waste with thoughts of love.

Strong man as I am,

Who force my way even through the rocks,

I love I rue in misery.

Sleepless with longing for my love,

Now I see the morning break;

O the mandarin-ducks flying by -

Are they the couriers from my girl?

I will tread the sharpness of the double-edged sword

And die with a good heart

If it be for your sake.

Leaving the Province of Tsukushi

Would my love a bracelet!

Tying her to my left arm,

I would start on my journey!

By Wang Wei

To Subperfect Chang

In late years, I love only the stillness,

The world's affairs no longer trouble my heart.

Looking at myself: no far-reaching plans;

All I know: to return to familiar woods--

The pine winds blow and loosen my sash;

The mountain moon shines upon me playing the lute.

You ask for reasons for failure or success--

Fisherman's song enters the riverbanks deep.

Red Peonies

Such radiance of green;

so casual and composed;

The tint of her dress

blends crimson with pink.

The heart of a flower

is nearly torn with grief:

Will spring's brilliance

ever know her heart?

Enjoying Coolness

Loft trees, ten thousand or more trunks:

A clear stream threads through their midst.

In front I look out on the mouth of a great river,

While broad and spacious comes the wind from afar.

Gentle ripples moisten white sand;

A pale carp seems to swim in air.

I lie down upon a broad stone,

And rolling waves flow over my trivial body.

I rinse my mouth in the water and wash my feet.

In front, I face an old man angling for fish;

How many in all are those who lusted for bait

And now vainly long to be "east of the lotus leaves"?

References

Anderson, G. L., ed. Masterpieces of the Orient. New York: Norton, 1961. Print.