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— by Li Daoyuan (Northern and Southern Dynasties) For seven hundred li through the Three Gorges, towering mountains line both banks without a single gap. Layer upon layer of cliffs and peaks shut out the sky and hide the sun. Only at high noon or midnight can one glimpse the sun or moon.
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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.