Bai Juyi

“ Is man's life so long that he can afford such partings? Much less should hearts joined by glue be set in bodies remote as Hu and Yüeh. [3] In promotion we could not be together; and in failure we cannot forget each other. Snatched and wrenched apart, separately each of us grows grey. ”

“ Although the mouths within my doors are many and the salary of a Sub-Prefect is small, by a thrifty application of my means, I am yet able to provide for my household without seeking any man's assistance to clothe their backs or fill their bellies. ”

“ All this time my body has been strong and my heart much at peace. There has been no sickness in my household, even among the servants. Last summer my elder brother arrived from Hsü-chou, leading by the hand six or seven little brothers and sisters, orphans of various households. ”

“ In the world of men face to face will they ever meet again?
O Wei-chih, Wei-chih! This night, this heart—do you know them or not? Lo-t'ien bows his head.
↑ Other name of Po Chü-i. ↑ Other name of Yüan Chēn. ↑ The extreme North and South of China. ↑ A poet, several of whose short poems are well-known. ↑ The son of Po Chü-i's uncle Po Ch'i-k'ang. ↑ A famous mountain near Kiu-kiang. ↑ What followed is omitted in the printed text. ↑ This expression is used by Yüan Chēn in a poem addressed to Po Chü-i. By "the World," he means their life together at Court. ”