Poetry Index

Complete collection of poems, songs, verdicts, and riddles from Dream of the Red Chamber.

Poetry Index

Too Proud for This World

曲词

Her temperament lovely as orchids, her talent rich as an immortal's. By nature so solitary that all think her strange.

Chapter 5

Joyful Foes

曲词

The Zhongshan wolf, a heartless beast, Forgets entirely the roots of former days.

Chapter 5

Awakening from Illusory Flowers

曲词

Having seen through the three springs' end, What use are peach reds and willow greens?

Chapter 5

Too Clever by Half

曲词

She schemed and plotted, far too clever— Yet in the end it cost her very life.

Chapter 5

Lingering Blessings

曲词

Lingering blessings, lingering blessings—she suddenly met her savior. Lucky her mother, lucky her mother, who stored up hidden merit.

Chapter 5

Late Splendor

曲词

Love within the mirror, and what is more, fame within a dream! How swiftly that beautiful splendor departs!

Chapter 5

Good Things End

曲词

From painted beams at spring's end, fragrant dust descends. Those who flaunt passion and boast beauty

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

The Song of Good Understanding

All men know that salvation should be won, But with ambition won't have done, have done.

Chapter 1

Commentary on the Song of Good Understanding

Humble rooms and empty halls—once they held shelves full of ivory tablets of office. Withered grass and dead poplars—once they were grounds for song and dance.

Chapter 1

Burying Flowers: A Lament

The blossoms fade and falling fill the air, Of fragrance and bright hues bereft and bare.

Chapter 27

A Ballad of Peach Blossoms

Outside the curtain, peach blossoms in a gentle east wind; Inside the curtain, she is too listless for her morning toilette.

Chapter 70

Autumn Night: Wind and Rain at the Window

Autumn flowers pale and autumn grasses sag; The guttering autumn lamp makes autumn nights so long.

Chapter 45

Three Verses on a Handkerchief: I

Eyes brimming store up tears that fall in vain; Shed in secret, scattered idly—for whom?

Chapter 34

Three Verses on a Handkerchief: II

Pearls and jade scatter as she weeps in secret; All day long her heart is listless, all day long at leisure.

Chapter 34

Three Verses on a Handkerchief: III

Colored threads can hardly catch the pearls upon her face; The ancient stains on the Xiang River have grown faint.

Chapter 34

Ode to White Begonia: Tanchun

Slanting sun and cold grass by the layered gate; Green moss fills the pot after the rain.

Chapter 37

Ode to White Begonia: Baochai

Cherishing her lovely form, she closes the door by day; Herself she carries water in a jar to tend the mossy pot.

Chapter 37

Ode to White Begonia: Baoyu

Her autumn face in pale hue framed by layered gates; Seven tiers amassed until the pot brims white with snow.

Chapter 37

Ode to White Begonia: Daiyu

The gauze curtain half-rolled, the door half-closed; Ice ground to soil, jade fashioned into pot.

Chapter 37

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