First, summer quatrains Dynasty: Song Dynasty | Author: Li Qingzhao
Live like a hero and die like a ghost. Today, people still miss Xiang Yu because he refused to live and returned to the East.
Introduction to ancient poetry
Summer quatrains is a five-character quatrain written by Li Qingzhao, a poet in the Song Dynasty. This is an ancient poem that satirizes the present and expresses grief and indignation. The first two sentences of the poem are surprising and straightforward, suggesting that people "live as outstanding people", make contributions to the country and serve the court; "Death" should also be a "ghost hero" to be a hero with indomitable spirit.
Deep patriotism gushed out and shocked people. In the last two sentences, the poet satirizes the shameless behavior of those in power in the Southern Song Dynasty by praising Xiang Yu's tragic behavior. There are only 20 short words in the whole poem, but three allusions are used in succession, which can be described as meticulous words and full of sense of justice between the lines.
Translation/translation
You should be born a hero and die a ghost. To this day, people still miss Xiang Yu because he refused to drag out an ignoble existence and returned to Jiangdong.
Second, sitting alone in Jingting Mountain Dynasty: Tang Dynasty | Author: Li Bai
The birds flew without a trace, leaving the lonely clouds free and unfettered. You look at me, I look at you, and there are only my eyes and Jingting Mountain's eyes.
Introduction to ancient poetry
Sitting alone in Jingting Mountain is a five-character quatrain written by Li Bai, a great poet in Tang Dynasty. On the surface, this poem describes a person's interest in traveling in Jingting Mountain, but its deep meaning is the poet's loneliness all his life. With his peculiar imagination and ingenious conception, the poet gave life to the landscape and personified Jingting Mountain, which was very vivid.
The author wrote about his loneliness, his lack of talent, but also his firmness, seeking comfort and sustenance in nature. This poem is a masterpiece of the poet to express his spiritual world.
Translation/translation
Birds fly without a trace, and lonely clouds floating in the sky don't want to stay and drift away slowly. Only I looked at the high Jingting Mountain, and Jingting Mountain looked at me silently. None of us will be satisfied. Who can understand my lonely mood at this time, only this tall Jingting Mountain.