Li Bai (701-762) Li Bai also known in the West as Li Po, is one of the most celebrated poets who was a wanderer and roysterer all his life. He did not, however, die as the legendsyas he did: drowned in an attempt to embrace the reflection of the moon in the river. Cascade gazing at the cascade on Lu Shan Where crowns a purple haze Ashimmer in sunlight rays The hill called Incense-Burner Peak, from far To see, hung o'er the torrent's wall, Tat waterfall Vault sheer three thousand feet, you'd say The Milky Way Was tumbling from the high heavens, star on star.

Du Fu (712-770) Du Fu is by common consent China's greatest poet. His poetry displays a genuine care for the sufferings of the common people, and is characterized by its innovations in language and subject matter. Quiet Moment Catkins tossed to left and right Carpet all the lanes with white. Lily-leaves on brooks are seen Like so many coins of green. In by the roots Of bamboo-shoots Young pheasants hidden keep: And on the beach Small ducklings, each Beside its mother, sleep.

Li Qingzhao (1084?-c.1151) Li Qingzhao came from a literary family, Li is the best-known woman poet in Chinese literary history. She is renowned especially for the unaffected intensity of her poems which deal with her personal experiences. Madrigal:"As in a Dream" Last night in the light rain as rough winds blew, My drunken sleep left me no merrier. I question one that raised the curtain, who Replies: "The wild quince trees—are as they were." But no, but no! Their rose is waning, and their green leaves grow.

Lu You (1125-1210) He was one of the most prolific poets of his time. His poetry is marked by two major themes: patriotism and the celebration of the quiet life in his retirement in the countryside. A Portent When the great wind in the sixth moon o'erwhelmed The skies at Chengdu lifting houses whole, Shaking the land with fearful din, black clouds Of craggy shale were borne in the wind's midst: A ghostly dankneww covered the wide air; And lightnings shot read fire down on earth. The Lord of Heaven bade lurking dragons rise, Which trailed their half-furled standards from the east. Great rain-drops clattered, large as axle-trees: Mountains o'er-toppled: and the river floods All passage barred; and by their roots uprent Were pine-trees furlongs tall. None knows as yet If plenteous year be augured. Yet this sight Stupendous cleansed the heart of vulgar cares.

Xin Qiji (1140-1207) At the age of twenty-one patriotic poet Xin Qiji joined the army to defend his nation against invasion. Two periods of enforced retirement enabled him to produce many of his best-known poems of which love of nature or a sense of frustration over inactivity was the recurrent theme. Enlightenment In youth, ere Grief to me was known I loved to climb on high, I loved to climb on high: In many a laboured lay Grief would I there portray. But now, with Grief familiar grown, Slower to speak am I, slower to speak am I. At most, I pause and say, "What a fine autumn day!"