|
|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE OLD HARP, by PO CHU-YI Poet's Biography
First Line: Of cord and cassia-wood is the harp compounded
Last Line: Because of the ch'iang flute and the ch'in flageolet.
Alternate Author Name(s): Bai Juyi; Bo Juyi; Po Chu-i; Lo T'ien; Jyu-yi
Subject(s): China - Tang Dynasty (618-905); Harps; Musical Instruments; Lyres
First Line: Of cord and cassia-wood is the harp compounded
Last Line: Because of the ch'iang flute and the ch'in flageolet.
Alternate Author Name(s): Bai Juyi; Bo Juyi; Po Chu-i; Lo T'ien; Jyu-yi
Subject(s): China - Tang Dynasty (618-905); Harps; Musical Instruments; Lyres
OF cord and cassia-wood is the harp compounded:
Within it lie ancient melodies.
Ancient melodies -- weak and savourless,
Not appealing to present men's taste.
Light and colour are faded from the jade stops:
Dust has covered the rose-red strings.
Decay and ruin came to it long ago,
But the sound that is left is still cold and clear.
I do not refuse to play it, if you want me to:
But even if I play, people will not listen.
How did it come to be neglected so?
Because of the Ch'iang flute and the Ch'in flageolet.
Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!
Other Poems of Interest...
THE GHOSTS LISTEN TO ORPHEUS SING by GREGORY ORR
TO AN AEOLIAN HARP by SARA TEASDALE
THE AEOLIAN HARP by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE
THE MASTER-PLAYER by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
THE HARP by RALPH WALDO EMERSON
THE AEOLIAN HARP; AT THE SURF INN by HERMAN MELVILLE
THAT HARP YOU PLAY SO WELL by MARIANNE MOORE
RUMORS FROM AN AEOLIAN HARP by HENRY DAVID THOREAU
AEOLIAN HARP (1) by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM
MADLY SINGING IN THE MOUNTAINS by PO CHU-YI