Chinese Poetry from Zhou to Ming (1000 BC-1647 AD)

For generations, Arthur Waley’s lyrical translations served as the primary gateway to Chinese poetry for the English-speaking world. Organized by dynasty, this edition transforms Waley's scattered masterpieces into a coherent historical journey through Chinese literature, from the ancient Zhou foundational texts to the twilight of the Tang. This structure reveals the evolving concerns of Chinese civilization, from ritual and statecraft to intimate personal reflection and profound philosophical inquiry, all through Waley’s singular poetic voice. Waley, a self-taught scholar who never visited Asia yet won the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry, rendered classical verse into enduring English poetry, creating a bridge between scholarly precision and accessible artistry that continues to define the Western encounter with China’s poetic heritage. From the solemn hymns of ancient courts to the wine-stained verses of Tang Dynasty taverns, this volume begins with the folk rituals and moral wisdom of