Biographies of the Tang Poets

Author: (Yuan) Xin Wenfang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: Not available
Features: Excerpts from Shen Qianyun – with poems passed down. The character on the fourth line from the asterisk is composed of "reading" and "speech."
Excerpts from Pi Ri – it is impossible to save it. The character on the ninth line from the asterisk is composed of "foot" and "shu."
Emperor Wei wrote "On Literature," stating, "Literature is a great achievement in governing the state and an immortal event. Life expectancy is limited, but literature is eternal." Poetry is literature with sound. During the Tang Dynasty, literature was valued, and customs were integrated, with countless achievements. In poetry, one should excel among thousands. Time passes swiftly, and many have faded away. Moreover, the ups and downs of life are treacherous, and striving for humble positions is arduous. Half live and half die, which is not easy! We have devoted ourselves to generations, pondered for years, and let our minds roam the vastness of the heavens, while our ears and eyes reach the boundless expanse. Fortunately, we have completed our writings, though some have perished. War and fire followed one another, and fame reached this point. How easy is it? Poetry moves heaven and earth, moves gods and spirits, strengthens human relationships, and changes customs. It arises from emotion but is restrained by propriety and righteousness, not merely for the sake of elegance. Tracing back to the Song Dynasty, the "National Airs," "Odes," and "Hymns" set the beginning, while "Encountering Sorrow" and "Summoning the Soul" unleashed their brilliance. Su and Li's excellence could establish the standard; the Jian'an period's vigor and strength made them outstanding; they flourished in the Eastern Jin, originating in Qi and Liang, all following the tradition and being clear and straightforward. Their words resounded like metal and stone, shining like red and green, and when reason was exhausted, it must connect with the times. Do not marvel at the bitter orange and tangerine, which are not suitable for the superior; who distinguishes between the Wei and Jing rivers, throwing glue to determine, all depends on the fortune of success or failure. The Tang Dynasty lasted nearly three hundred years, with the tripod and bell carrying the path of elegance. There were three major changes in the middle, so there were people who painstakingly crafted verses and achieved the skill of piercing through bamboo with arrows. In terms of rules, they were complete, and in terms of words, they were unadorned. When their elegance and high standards faded, their remaining echoes were profound. From high places, they could compose, and in leisure, they could recite. Old styles, regulated verse, ancient poetry, and ballads flourished in their time, their voices echoing the past. They were neither dry nor withered, nor were their rich decorations excessive. Like gold and green paint enhancing colors, and the five tones harmonizing naturally, they were enough to admire the predecessors and thank the successors. The citharas in the clear temple and the flutes in the fragrant wind were not simpler in their melancholy, and the style of the two and four dynasties was not inferior to autumn in the slightest.
I have long admired their lofty sentiments and personally followed this path, exploring its essence and scattered manifestations. When reviewing their works, I still felt ignorant of their voices and appearances, and I could not distinguish their principles. I have often been troubled by this. Recently, with leisure at home, I have abandoned trivial matters, browsed through books, and focused on historical collections. Sometimes, I sought detailed accounts in numerous volumes, compiled the biographies of the predecessors, and drafted them into chapters, supported by clear evidence to fully present the prosperity of the times and to establish a unique perspective. Each is marked with the era and arranged in order, hoping to align with public opinion and not be deceived by anyone. As for the high style of the world beyond, the reclusive scholars, the immortal companions of the Han Dynasty, and the elegant thoughts of the secluded women, though many have been minutely examined, they are separately summarized. The outstanding talents of the world are somewhat similar, but the distance between hearts is not much. As for the emotions inspired by events, they are appended at the end. Scholars from distant lands, at the age of twenty, are already brilliant, but their knowledge is limited. I dare to propose this alliance and rely on fellow enthusiasts to expand it. May we create a dream of the nine graves and sing the clear wind of one generation. Those who rise later are awe-inspiring, and they will inspire the world for centuries, still hoping to appreciate their voices.
The completed biography consists of two hundred seventy-eight chapters, with an additional one hundred twenty families appended, divided into ten volumes, named "Biographies of Talented Poets of the Tang Dynasty."
Preface written in the spring of Dade Jiachen in the Yuan Dynasty.
The bright Milky Way revolves, appearing even higher than the celestial pole; the great bell is rarely struck, but it emits the most profound sound from the Xianchi. With Emperor Taizong's natural talent and the intelligence of the grand temple, the emperors of Xian, De, Wen, and Xi, all with wise and outstanding qualities, used their leisure from governing the state to specially indulge in poetry. The brilliance of the qiu and the color of the dragon floated, and the favor extended to the ministers, who were often given gifts and poetry in return. Therefore, when the superior has a liking, the inferior will surely follow with greater enthusiasm.
Gao Shi, styled Daifu, also known as Zhongwu, was from Cangzhou. In his youth, he was unrestrained and unconcerned with trivial matters, ashamed to take the ordinary examinations, and hid his talents among gamblers, yet his fame spread far. Later, he passed the examination for virtuous officials and was appointed as a county magistrate of Fengqiu. Soon after, Geshu Han recommended him as a secretary. Later, he was promoted to a counselor. He was bold in speech and dared to criticize the powerful, causing the close officials to resent him. Li Fuguo envied his talent. The chaos in Shu...