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RELATED TOPIC:
TANG POETRY

RELATED TOPIC:
LI BO (701-762)

RELATED TOPIC:
DU FU (721-770)

 
GREAT TANG POETS: WANG WEI (699-761)
"Fields and Gardens by the River Qi"

Paul Rouzer :: In one particular poem of his, a good example of his so-called regulated verse, we can see how he takes some earlier Chinese poetic traditions and simplifies them and makes them more succinct within a more set and rigid verse form.

 

"Fields and Gardens by the River Qi," by Wang Wei

I dwell apart by the River Qi,
Where the Eastern wilds stretch far without hills.

The sun darkens beyond the mulberry trees;
The river glistens through the villages.

Shepherd boys depart, gazing back to their hamlets;
Hunting dogs return following their men.

When a man's at peace, what business does he have?
I shut fast my rustic door throughout the day.

[Translation by Paul Rouzer]