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In the thousand years covered by this volume th shih reached its highest level of development. A lyric form which, using a predominantly four-character line, had earlier been employed in the Confucian "Book of Odes", it rose to prominence once more in the period under discussion. the new shih, which differed from the original form only in its use of a five- or seven-character line, became the best known and most characteristic of Chinese poetic forms. Some 200 poems, illustrating the most important formal, stylistic, and thematic developments in the growth of shih poetry, are here presented in new translations by Burton Watson. The accompanying background material - critical, historical, or biographical - is given in notes to particular poems or in brief essays relating to a group of poems. After an introductory chapter that prepares the reader for some of the conventions, ambiguities, and linguistic difficulties that exist in shih poetry, Professor Watson takes up in turn the "Nineteen Old Poems" of the Han dynasty, the more realistic poetry of the Chien-an era, folk and pseudo-folk songs, poetry celebrating the life of the recluse, and love poetry. Three chapters are devoted to the T'ang dynasty, each period of which is noted for particular stylistic innovations and developments. T'ang poets include some fo the greatest names iin al Chinese literature - Li Po, Tu Fu, Wang Wei, Han-shan, Han Yü, Po Chü-i, Li Ho, and Li Shang-yin. They are represented here, but the reader will also find poems by lesser-known figures of the Early, High, Middle, and Late T'ang, such as Wei Ying-wu and Wang Chien. The author pays particular attention to the nature imagery of T'ang poetry, making an interesting analysis of images used in a representative anthology of T'ang poems. In conclusion, there is a chapter on the poetry of the Sung dynasty, Which showed little technical inventiveness, but made up for this by its broadening and enrichment of subject matter. Mei Yao-ch'en, Su Tung-p'o, Wang An-shih, Huang T'ing-chien, and Lu Yu, all major Sung poets, are represented in the translations.

Chinese poetry --- History and criticism --- S16/0200 --- -Chinese literature --- China: Literature and theatrical art--Traditional poetry and poets: studies --- History and criticism. --- -China: Literature and theatrical art--Traditional poetry and poets: studies --- -China: Literature and theatrical art--Traditional poetry and poets: studies. --- Chinese literature --- Chinese poetry - History and criticism