Chinese Poetry.

Manawatu Herald, 13 March 1894, Page 2

Chinese Poetry.

It comes rather as a surprise to hear of poetry from the "heathen Chinee " but in the Nineteenth Century Mr H. A. Gillies has written an article on " Chinese poetry in English verse." He asserts that " all modern Chinese statesmen are poets more or less, though poets so-called are not to be found in China at the present day." Mr Gillies gives some examples which we reprint, and he says " Just as the Confucian Canon is absolutely tree from impure word or thought of any kind so in the same sense is the great bulk of Chinese poetry equally without reproach." Chinese poems are never very long. At the public -examination of the present day the limit is twelve lines of five words to each. The following verses are from poets belonging from 600 to 900 A.D. I love to seek a quiet nook And some old volumes bring, Where I can see the wild fiowerg bloom, And hear the birds sing. At the to? of a Pagoda. Upon this tall Pagoda's peak My hands can nigh the stars enclose j I dare not raise iry voice to speak For fear of startling God's repose.