300 Tang Poems -a new and complete translation
By Innes Herdan, illustrated by Chiang Yee.
Published by the Far East Book Co. 2000
Woodfree Paper, Deluxe Binding, 8.25 inch x 6 inch, 829 pages.
ISBN 9576124719.The Chinese text of each poem has been printed together with the English version. The Tang period (618-907) was the golden age of Chinese poetry and the Three Hundred Tang Poems contains some of the most representative and beautiful examples. Knowledge of it is of the utmost value, not only to students of Chinese literature, but to all who have a general interest in Chinese culture. Some of these poems have been translated many times before, in many languages, but Innes Herdan has made an entirely new and complete translation, keeping as close as possible to the originals, both in language and rhythm. The book has the additional value for students of having the Chinese text, and it has been lavishly illustrated in the Chinese style by Chiang Yee, Professor Emeritus of Chinese, Columbia University. Spring DawnMeng HaoranAsleep in spring I did not heed the dawn
Till the birds broke out singing everywhere.
Last night, in the clamour of wind and rain,
How many flowers have fallen
do you suppose? Tr. by Innes Herdan 300 Tang Poems p. 578 
Spring DawnFeeling not when cometh th' peep of spring dawn,
Everywhere birds' songs I hear in my slumber.
Through the sounds of wind and rain all th'night long,
Know I not how many th' flowers fall in number.Tr. by Sun Dayu, "An Anthology of Ancient Chinese Poetry and Prose" p. 133 Night ThoughtsLi BaiThe bright moon shone
before my bed,
I wondered -
was it frost upon the ground?
I raised my head
to gaze at the clear moon,
Bowed my head
remembering my old home. Tr. by Innes Herdan 300 Tang Poems p. 580 
Thoughts in a Still NightThe luminous moonshine before my bed,
Is thought to be the frost fallen on the ground.
I lift my head to gaze at the cliff moon,
And then bow down to muse on my distant home.Tr. by Sun Dayu, "An Anthology of Ancient Chinese Poetry and Prose" p. 189 Love-SicknessWang Changling
In her boudoir is a young bride
who hasn't yet known sorrow;
One spring day she makes her toilet
and climbs the kingfisher tower.
With a pang she notices the tender green
of the roadside willows
And regrets having urged her husband away
to seek official appointment. Tr. by Innes Herdan 300 Tang Poems p. 652 
The Coat with the Gold ThreadsDu QiuniangI warn you - cherish not your gold-threaded coat;
I warn you - cherish rather the days of your youth!
When the flower blooms, ready for picking,
pick it you must;
Don't wait till the flower falls
and pick a bare twig!
Tr. by Innes Herdan 300 Tang Poems p. 782 
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