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— Han Yu On vernal day no flowers were in bloom, alas! In second moon I’m glad to see the budding grass. But white snow dislikes the late coming vernal breeze, It plays the parting flowers flying through the trees.
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— Zhang Ji The River Xiang unruffled in autumn looks wide; The wayfarer at moonset leaves the riverside. We see wayfarers come, we see wayfarers go. Over white duckweed partridges fly to and fro.
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— Yang Juyuan The early spring presents to poets a fresh scene: The willow twigs half yellow and half tender green. When the Royal Garden’s covered with blooming flowers, Then it would be the visitors’ busiest hours.
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— Meng Jiao Going upstream, I see mountain on mountain high; The twelve green peaks with Sunny Terrace scrape the sky. The king in hunting caught by sudden evening shower Slept there and dreamed of the Goddess in Sunny Bower. To her charm added the mist-veiled rainbow dress bright; Away she flew with faded…
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— Li Yi I married a merchant bound for Qutang Gorge; Day after day, he breaks the promised rendezvous. Had I known the tide keeps its faith without fail, I’d have wed instead the lad who rides the billows pale.
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— Dai Shulun A cool crescent like an eyebrow hangs over the Willow Bay; Hills of Yue reflected in the stream look like a mirror lay. For three days, rain’s fallen with peach petals on Orchid Stream; At midnight, from the shoal leap up all the bream.
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— Yu Liangshi How many charming scenes in vernal hill? I forgot to return till night just to enjoy my fill! Scoop water with my hand – the moon rests in the bowl; Toy with flowers – their fragrance clings to my gown. When joy surges, I forget the distance; About to go, I…
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— Zhang Chao When the arrowhead leaves rot, we departed at West Bay, But you do not return now the lotus blooms sway. My dreams drift upon the river night after night, They say my beloved’s lingering on Phoenix Mountain’s height.
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— Zhang Ji Moon sets, crows cry, frost fills the sky; Facing dim fishing boats neath maples, sad I lie. Beyond the city wall of Gusu, from Temple of Cold Hill Bells break the ship-borne roamer’s dream in midnight still.