Poetry Index
Complete collection of poems, songs, verdicts, and riddles from Dream of the Red Chamber.
Poetry Index
Couplet on the Archway of the Land of Illusion
对联When the false is taken for the true, the true becomes false; Where nothing is treated as something, something becomes nothing.
Chapter 5
Elegy for the Hibiscus Maiden
赋In the first year of the era of Unchanging Peace, in the month when cassia and lotus compete in fragrance, on a day of helpless sorrow—the Turbid Jade of Happy Red Court, with clusters of flower stamens, ice-mermaid gauze, Seeping Fragrance spring water, and maple-dew tea, though these four offerings are humble, presents them in sincerity and faith, offering this sacrifice before the Hibiscus Maiden who presides over autumn beauty in the White Emperor's Palace:
Chapter 78
Ode to Red Plum: Xing Xiuyan
诗Peach not yet fragrant, apricot not yet red— Braving the cold, she already laughs at the east wind.
Chapter 50
Ode to Red Plum: Li Wen
诗Too lazy for white plum, I sing of the red instead; Flaunting her beauty, she greets the tipsy eye with open blooms.
Chapter 50
Ode to Red Plum: Xue Baoqin
诗Sparse are the branches, splendid are the blooms; Spring-dressed maidens vie in luxury.
Chapter 50
Nostalgic Poems: Meditation at Red Cliff
诗Red Cliff lies buried where the waters cease to flow; Only names remain, carried on an empty boat.
Chapter 51
Nostalgic Poems: Meditation on Jiaozhi
诗Bronze-cast golden bells upheld the law; Their sound spread overseas to the frontier tribes.
Chapter 51
Nostalgic Poems: Meditation at Bell Mountain
诗When did fame and fortune ever keep you company? For no reason, summoned by decree from the dusty world.
Chapter 51
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
Willow Catkin Lyric: Daiyu
词Powder falls on Hundred-Flower Isle; Fragrance fades at the Swallow Tower.
Chapter 70
Ballad of the Beautiful and Brave
歌The Prince of Heng loved both war and beauty, So he taught his fair maidens archery and horsemanship.
Chapter 78
Xiangling's Moon Poem: I
诗The moon hangs mid-heaven, the night air cold; Its clear radiance bright, its shadow round.
Chapter 48
Xiangling's Moon Poem: III
诗Her brilliance tries to hide—but that is hard; Her shadow ever graceful, her soul ever cold.
Chapter 48
Inscription for Grand View Garden: The Phoenix Comes in Splendor
对联The precious tripod's tea is done—the smoke still lingers green; The secluded window's chess game ends—the fingers are still cool.
Chapter 17
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
The Protective Talisman of Officials
其他The Jias are no fake—their halls are of white jade, their horses of gold. The Epang Palace, three hundred leagues long, cannot house a single Shi of Jinling.
Chapter 4
Willow Catkin Lyric: Xiangyun
词Is it merely leftover embroidery floss? It rolls up half a curtain of fragrant mist.
Chapter 70
Willow Catkin Lyric: Tanchun
词Vainly hanging, thread after slender thread; Idly dangling, strand after trailing strand.
Chapter 70
Autumn Night Impromptu: Jia Baoyu
诗In the Crimson Cloud Studio, all clamor is stilled; Moonlight flows through crimson gauze.
Chapter 23
Spring Night Impromptu: Jia Baoyu
诗Rosy silk and cloud-like curtains spread at will; Through the alley, the toad-drum sounds—heard but not clearly.
Chapter 23