The Wen xuan, compiled by Xiao Tong (501-531) is the oldest surviving anthology of Chinese literature arranged by genre. It contains a total of 761 pieces of prose and verse by 130 writers from the late Zhou dynasty to the Liang dynasty (ca. 4th century B.C. to 6th century A.D.) The selection includes most of the best examples of fu (rhapsodies) and shi (lyric poems) from the Han, Wei, Jin, and North-South Dynasties periods, as well as representative examples of other early genres such as letters, memorials, prefaces, imperial edicts, inscriptions, epitaphs, laments, elegies, and eulogies. This anthology was one of the primary sources of literary knowledge for educated Chinese in the premodern period, and it is still an essential work for specialists in classical Chinese literature. This volume completes the translation of the rhapsodies (chapters 13 through 19) and includes many important masterpieces of early Chinese literature such as the "Rhapsody on Literature" by Lu Ji, "Rhapsody on Contemplating the Mystery" by Zhang Heng, "Rhapsody on Dance" by Fu Yi, and "Rhapsody on the Zither" by Xi Kang. Originally published in 1996. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Table of Contents:
PREFACE INTRODUCTION Wen xuan 13. Rhapsody G, Natural Phenomena RHAPSODY ON THE WIND Song YU 7 RHAPSODY ON AUTUMN INSPIRATIONS Pan Anren 13 RHAPSODY ON SNOW Xie Huilian 21 RHAPSODY ON THE MOON Me Xiyi 31 Birds and Animals, Part I RHAPSODY ON THE HOULET Fia Yi 41 RHAPSODY ON THE PARROT Mi Zhengping 49 RHAPSODY ON THE WREN Zhang Maoxian 57 14. Birds and Animals, Part II RHAPSODY ON THE RUSSET AND WHITE HORSE yan-yaffnian 65 RHAPSODY ON DANCING CRANES Bao Mingyuan 75 Aspirations and Feelings, Part I RHAPSODY ON COMMUNICATING WITH THE HIDDENBan Mengjian 83 15. Rhapsody H, Aspirations and Feelings, Part II RHAPSODY ON CONTEMPLATING THE MYSTERY Zhang Pingzi 105 RHAPSODY ON RETURNING TO THE FIELDS Zhang Pingzi 139 16. Aspirations and Feelings, Part III RHAPSODY ON LIVING IN IDLENESS Pan Amen 145 Sorrowful Laments RHAPSODY ON THE TALL GATE PALACE Sima Zhangqing 159 RHAPSODY ON RECALLING OLD FRIENDS Xiang Ziqi 167 RHAPSODY ON LAMENTING THE DEPARTED Lu Shiheng 171 RHAPSODY ON RECALLING OLD FRIENDS AND KIN Pan Anren 179 RHAPSODY ON A WIDOW Pan Anren RHAPSODY ON RESENTMENT Fiang Wentong 193 RHAPSODY ON SEPARATION Fiang Wentong 201 17. Rhapsody I, literature RHAPSODY ON LITERATURE Lu Shiheng 211 Music, Part I RHAPSODY ON THE PANPIPES Wang Ziyuan 233 RHAPSODY ON DANCE Fu Wuzhong 245 18. Music, Part II RHAPSODY ON THE LONG FLUTE Ma Fichang 259 RHAPSODY ON THE ZITHER Xi Shuye 279 RHAPSODY ON THE MOUTH ORGAN Pan Anren 303 RHAPSODY ON WHISTLING Chenggong Zi'an 315 19. Rhapsody J, Passions RHAPSODY ON THE GAOTANG SHRINE Song Yu 325 RHAPSODY ON THE GODDESS Song Yu 339 RHAPSODY ON MASTER DENGTU THE LECHER YU 349 RHAPSODY ON THE LUO RIVER GODDESS Cao Zyian 355 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 367 NOTES 401 BIBLIOGRAPHY 413 INDEX 431