The Sick Wife (first cent.

BC) To His Wife (General Su Wu, circa 100 BC) She had been ill for years and years; She sent for me to say something. She couldnt say what she wanted Because of the tears that kept coming of themselves. I have burdened you with orphan children, With orphan children two or three. Dont let our children go hungry or cold; If they do wrong, dont slap or beat them. When you take out the baby, rock it in your arms. Dont forget to do that. Last she said, When I carried them in my arms they had no clothes And now their jackets have no linings. [She dies] I shut the doors and barred the windows And left the motherless children. When I got to the market and met my friends, I wept. I sat down and could not go with them. I asked them to buy some cakes for my children. In the presence of my friends I sobbed and cried. I tried not to grieve, but sorrow would not cease. I felt in my pocket and my friends some money. When I got home I found my children Calling to be taken into their mothers arms. I walked up and down in the empty room This way and that a long while. The I went away from it and said to myself, I will forget and never speak of her again. Since our hair was plaited and we became man and wife The love between us was never broken by doubt. So let us be merry this night together, Feasting and playing while the time lasts. -I suddenly remember the distance that I must travel; I spring from bed and look out to see the time. The stars and planets are all grown dim in the sky; Long, long is the road; I cannot stay. I am going on service, away to the battleground, And I do not know when I shall come back. I hold your hand with only a deep sigh; Afterwards, tearsin the days when we are parted. With all your might enjoy the spring flowers, But do not forget the time of our love and pride. Know that if I live, I will come back again, And if I die, we will go on thinking of each other.

Source: One Hundred & Seventy Chinese Poems Translated by Arthur Waley (Constable & Co. LTD, 1918)

Regret (Chong So, c. 1511-1170) The poet who composed Regret was a favorite subject during the time of King Injong (11091123-1146). Upon the enthronement of King Uijong (1127-1147-1170-1173), he was banished from the capital of Tognae as the result of party strife at court. At the place of exile, Chong composed this poem and sang it to the lut whose tone was described by the annalists as moving and sad. My mind that has thought of you and wept Is like a bird in a lonely hollow. The waning moon will know, and morning stars, That their slanders were untrue and vain. Your soul, my Lord, be there where mine drifts. Who has opposed, insisted shamelessly? I have committed no sin against you. Alas, all that they told of me was slander. Have you already wholly forgotten me? Show favor to me, I entreat you, Lord, I pray.

Song of the Lantern Fest (Anonymous, c. 1725) On the day of the first full moon, The children play, enjoying the moon, They play, stamping on the bridge. But where is he, ah, where is my Love? Alas, he is not on the bridge. On the day of the Clear and Bright, The lusty sap stirs the trees; Young buds spring among the grass; Everything grows in harmony But where is he, ah, where is my Love? He knows not, alas, that spring is here.

On the third day of the third moon, Swallows come, come from the south; And the wild geese from the Hsiao and Hsiang, They say must bid us farewell. Pear and peach trees are in bloom, Apricot petals fall on the grass, They are scattered, whispering and falling. But where is he, ah, where is my Love? He knows not this is the season of flowers. On the eighth day of the fourth moon I climb the terrace to see the lanterns, Lit at sundown, far and near. Fish lanterns and dragon lanterns, Phoenix lanterns and crane lanterns, A heron and the southern star; Fairy lanterns and drum lanterns, Watermelon and garlic lanterns, A fairy messenger in the lotus, A celestial nymph on a fabulous bird, Ship lanterns and house lanterns, Egg lanterns and bottle lanterns, Mask-play lanterns and shadow lanterns, Closet, sedan, and rail lanterns, A masked heron riding a lion, Straw puppets on wolves and tigers And the sun lanterns and moon lanterns Shine on the lanterns that roll on the ground, And beyond the arch of the Plow Rises the moon over East Mountain, And below, windows are lit here and there. But where is he, ah, where is my Love? He knows not how the lanterns shine.

On the fifth day of the fifth moon, Other folks children install a swing. Gaily they play on the swings, up and down, Hurtling downward, zooming upwars But where is he, ah, where is my Love? He knows not it is the season of swings. \ Source: Poems from Korea Cimpiled, translated by: Peter H. Lee East-West Center Book, 1974