Poetry Index
Complete collection of poems, songs, verdicts, and riddles from Dream of the Red Chamber.
Poetry Index
Joint Verdict on Daiyu and Baochai
判词Alas for her wifely virtue, the weaver who stopped her loom! How pitiful her poetic gift, like willow-down in the breeze!
Chapter 5
Erta: Prelude to A Dream of Red Mansions
曲词Since the dawn of creation, who has been the lover true? All because the wind and moon stirred passion deep.
Chapter 5
Erta: A Lifelong Mistake
曲词All say it is a match of gold and jade; But I recall only the pledge between stone and flower.
Chapter 5
Birds Scatter to the Woods
曲词Those who held office see their estates in ruins; The wealthy find their gold and silver gone;
Chapter 5
Autumn Night: Wind and Rain at the Window
诗Autumn flowers pale and autumn grasses sag; The guttering autumn lamp makes autumn nights so long.
Chapter 45
Ode to White Begonia: Baochai
诗Cherishing her lovely form, she closes the door by day; Herself she carries water in a jar to tend the mossy pot.
Chapter 37
Chrysanthemum Poems: Remembering Chrysanthemums
诗Gazing west in the wind, wrapped in melancholy thought— Red knotweed, white reeds—a time to break one's heart.
Chapter 38
Ode to the Crab: Baochai
诗Beneath cassia mist and paulownia shade we raise our cups; In Chang'an, watering mouths await the Double Ninth.
Chapter 38
Baochai's Lantern Riddle
灯谜After the morning audience, who carries smoke in both sleeves? Beside the zither, within the quilt—always without companion.
Chapter 22
Willow Catkin Lyric: Baochai
词Before the Hall of White Jade, spring teaches them to dance; The east wind rolls them evenly along.
Chapter 70
Inscription for Grand View Garden: Fragrance of Alpinia
对联Composing lines on cardamom—her talent still dazzles; Sleeping deeply by the China rose—even her dreams are fragrant.
Chapter 17
Chrysanthemum Poems: Painting Chrysanthemums
诗After poems, a playful brush—not knowing it runs wild; Is this really painting that costs such careful thought?
Chapter 38
Linked Verse at Reed Snow Cottage (Excerpt)
诗All night the north wind blew fiercely; Opening the door—snow still drifts.
Chapter 50