Sh i P oe t ry : musiC bur e au P oe m s 93Fought South of the Walls,” and this probably indicates an earlier stage of Chinese
poetry in which the style had not yet become fixed. The song opens with a descrip-
tion of a dismal scene. The deplorable, poverty-stricken condition the protagonist
has been reduced to is unbearable. In order to survive, he must act, regardless
whether his deed is criminal or not. The wife addresses her husband as an equal
and demonstrates great integrity in advising him to stay honest. She first appeals
to her husband by pointing out that it is simply against heaven’s way to perform
evil acts, and he will not be able to face his own children. Then she expresses her
willingness to share this poverty-stricken condition with him. These appeals build
up the tension of the poem and advance it to the climax. The denouement is pre-
dicted, since there is no other alternative. The only thing the wife is able to offer
before her husband leaves is her words of care as a wife. The overall tone of the
poem is depressing. Many scholars have read it as a social text that reflects the life
of commoners during the Han. The anonymous writer certainly demonstrates a
high level of concern for the common people, which completely differentiates him
or her from the court poets of the Han.
“There Is One I Love” is another example of a song dealing with a nonimperial
topic. It is a famous song that falls in the thematic category of romantic love. It is
classified in Guo Maoqian’s scheme under “Guchui qu ci” (Lyrics for Drum and
Pipe Songs):
C 4. 6
There Is One I Love 有所思 (yŏu suŏ sī)There is one I love 有所思 (yŏu suŏ sī)
2 He is south of the great sea. 乃在大海南 (năi zài dà hăi nán)
Why should I send you anything! 何用問遺君 (hé yòng wèn wèi jūn)
4 As for your tortoiseshell hairpin with twin pearls, 雙珠瑇瑁簪 (shuāng zhū dài mào zān)
I braided it with jade. 用玉紹繚之 (yòng yù shào liáo zhī)
6 Yet when I heard that you have another love, 聞君有它心 (wén jūn yŏu tā xīn)
I shattered it, smashed and burned it, 拉雜摧燒之 (lā zá cuī shāo zhī)
8 Smashed and burned it. 摧燒之 (cuī shāo zhī)
Facing the wind I scattered its ashes. 當風揚其灰 (dāng fēng yáng qí huī)
10 From this day on 從今以往 (cóng jīn yĭ wăng)
I will absolutely love you no more. 勿復相思 (wù fù xiāng sī)
12 My love for you is severed. 相思與君絕 (xiāng sī yŭ jūn jué)
Cocks crow, dogs bark, 雞鳴狗吠 (jī míng gŏu fèi)
14 My brother and sister-in-law will know. 兄嫂當知之 (xiōng săo dāng zhī zhī)
Alas! Alas! 妃呼狶 (fēi hū xī)
16 The autumn wind soughs, and a sparrow hawk
shrieks, 秋風肅肅晨風颸 (qiū fēng sù sù chén fēng sī)
Soon in the east dawn will be breaking and it will
be known. 東方須臾高知之 (dōng fāng xū yú gāo zhī zhī)
[SS 22.642]24