1. Li Sao

Pre-Qin Dynasty: Qu Yuan

The emperor Lan Kuiyu came to Xi for the first time, and Zhaoxi paid tribute to Yu.

The name Yu is Zhengzexi and the courtesy name is Lingjun.

Fenwu not only has this inner beauty, but also attaches great importance to cultivation.

Translation

My father carefully guessed my birth date, so he gave me the corresponding good name: my father named me Zhengze, and at the same time, he called me Lingjun. Talent has given me many good qualities, and I continue to strengthen my cultivation.

2. Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng

Tang Dynasty: Wang Bo

Bo, a man with a small life of three feet, is a scholar.

If you have no way to ask for a tassel, you will wait for the weak crown of the final army;

If you have a heart, you can cast a pen, and you will admire the emperor's strong wind.

I gave up my hairpin and wat for a hundred years, and carried it with me at dawn and dusk for thousands of miles.

It is not the treasure tree of the Xie family, but it is the neighbor of the Meng family.

Translation

I am in a humble position, just a scholar. Although he is twenty-one years old like Zhong Jun, he has nowhere to recruit soldiers to kill the enemy. I envy Zong Tie's heroic spirit of "riding the wind and breaking thousands of miles of waves", and I also have the ambition to write and join the army. Now I have abandoned my lifelong fame and traveled thousands of miles to serve my father day and night. Although he cannot be called the "treasure tree" of the Xie family, he can associate with virtuous people.

3. A ballad from Mount Lu sent to Lu Shi Yuxuzhou

Tang Dynasty: Li Bai

I am a madman from Chu, and Feng Ge laughs at Confucius.

Holding a green jade staff, facing the Yellow Crane Tower.

I never go far to find immortals in the Five Mountains, and I will spend my life traveling to famous mountains.

Translation

I was originally like that madman who took over Chu, singing the Phoenix song loudly to laugh at Confucius. Holding a stick inlaid with green jade in his hand, he bid farewell to the famous Yellow Crane Tower early in the morning. Climbing the five mountains to find immortality is not afraid of the long journey. I like to travel to famous mountains in this life.

4. A gift of twenty-two rhymes to Wei Zuocheng

Tang Dynasty: Du Fu

When he was young, he was a guest of the state. I have read hundreds of thousands of books and written like a god.

The poems praise the heroic enemies, and the poems look at the sons and daughters. Li Yong wanted to know his friends, and Wang Han wanted to tell his neighbors.

Translation

Master Wei, you can listen quietly and I will tell you my past. When I was young, I had always been a guest visiting the royal capital.

I have read tens of thousands of books by heart, and when I write articles, I feel like I have a knack for writing. My poetry rivals that of Yang Xiong, and my poetry is close to that of Cao Zhi. Li Yong sought an opportunity to meet me, and Wang Han was willing to become my close neighbor.

5. Letters to Han Jingzhou

Tang Dynasty: Li Bai

Bai, a commoner in Longxi, lived in Chu and Han. Fifteen good swordsmanship, all over the princes. Thirty percent of the articles have reached the prime minister's level. Although he is less than seven feet tall, he is ambitious. All the princes and lords pledge their righteousness. How dare you not leave all traces of your thoughts in this realm to the king and lord!

Translation

I, Li Bai, am a commoner in Longxi, living in the Chu region and the Han River. At the age of fifteen, he was fond of swordsmanship and visited many local governors; at the age of thirty, he became accomplished in poetry and prose, and visited high-ranking officials of the imperial court many times. Although I am less than seven feet tall, my ambition exceeds that of ten thousand people. The princes and princes all praised me for my integrity and morality.

These are my past thoughts and deeds. How dare I not confide in you to my heart’s content?