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Even more ghost poems? Even more! Since my last installment, my translations have slowed down a little, in part because the entries are getting longer—as in not just longer poems but more of them, as part of a fuller story. Highlights this time include the most gloriously arrogant slam against brick-robbers ever, shamanism in action, and poems written on such places as a window and a pillar. (The poem on banana leaf will have to wait till the next installment.)
This installment rounds out Complete Tang Poems chapter 865 (headnotes), poems and exchanges given with historical dates, and continues into chapter 866 (headnotes), those without. The latter, honestly, are often more interesting. There’s also more of them, so the transition between chapters is not actually halfway through the collection, but more like just over a third.
On the Topic of a Small Mound in the Outskirts, Xiao Wei
A new-set cover of rushes, east of a country stream—
Pine and catalpa shadows mix in a mournful manner.
In the world of man, the months and years are flowing water:
Why do we travel over and over this middle road?
( Jing is an outstanding wandering spirit—receive the benefit of the palm of this Netherworld Official. Strive to build ten-thousand crenelated walls, but avoid this one you took from. If this mane-shaped tomb stays entirely sealed, I shall venture to overlook your boss’s shadow. )
And with that shivery note, I’ll end this installment of ghost poems. Back with more in a bit. Including that above-mentioned poem written on a banana leaf.
---L.
Index of Chinese translations
This installment rounds out Complete Tang Poems chapter 865 (headnotes), poems and exchanges given with historical dates, and continues into chapter 866 (headnotes), those without. The latter, honestly, are often more interesting. There’s also more of them, so the transition between chapters is not actually halfway through the collection, but more like just over a third.
On the Topic of a Small Mound in the Outskirts, Xiao Wei
Around 832, Xiao Wēi was a Middle Minister. After there was a death, Wéi Qixiu, the deputy militia commander west of the Zhe, frequently saw spirits strange. One day, alas, his servant said, “Third-rank official Xiao has come.” This third-rank official was indeed Wēi, who had just died that very day. Wēi was suddenly heard to sigh and say, “I arranged several days ago to descend to a small tomb in the outskirts (with) a single random-topic poem,” whereupon this newly made ghost recited the poem. Qixiu replied, “Sir, this poem concealed what was surely a prophecy.”
A new-set cover of rushes, east of a country stream—
Pine and catalpa shadows mix in a mournful manner.
In the world of man, the months and years are flowing water:
Why do we travel over and over this middle road?
( Jing is an outstanding wandering spirit—receive the benefit of the palm of this Netherworld Official. Strive to build ten-thousand crenelated walls, but avoid this one you took from. If this mane-shaped tomb stays entirely sealed, I shall venture to overlook your boss’s shadow. )
And with that shivery note, I’ll end this installment of ghost poems. Back with more in a bit. Including that above-mentioned poem written on a banana leaf.
---L.
Index of Chinese translations