Yuan Zhen

  • Bai Juyi

    Bai Juyi (772–846 CE) was a renowned poet of the Tang dynasty, with the courtesy name Letian. His ancestral home was Taiyuan (in present-day Shanxi), but his family later moved to Xiagui (modern-day Weinan, Shaanxi). 

  • Chrysanthemums [Tang Poems]

    — Yuan Zhen Around the cottage like Tao’s autumn flowers grow; Along the hedge I stroll until the sun slants low. Not that I favor partially the chrysanthemum, But it is the last flower after which none will bloom.

  • To the Peony Flower [Tang Poems]

    — Xue Tao Petal by petal you fell in late spring last year; Since you are gone, my paper’s wet with tear on tear. I am afraid you’d vanish like cloud in a dream. How can I wish to see you on Peach Blossom Stream? Your fragrance sweet reveals you have a loving heart;…

  • Lian Suo

    Yang Yuwei had moved to a house by the bank of the Sishui River. His study faced an open wilderness. Outside the wall were many ancient tombs. At night, winds blew through white poplar trees, setting them to roaring like sea waves.

  • Jiaona

    Scholar Kong Xueli, a descendent of the sage, Confucius, was a man of forbearance and well-versed in poetry. His good friend, a magistrate of Tiantai County in Zhejiang Province, wrote to him, inviting him to be his guest.