History & Politics

Desolation

by Kao Shih c. AD 700

Translated by L. Cranmer-Byng (1909) · From A Lute of Jade (1909)

History & Politics

I

There was a King of Liang -- a king of wondrous might --
Who kept an open palace, where music charmed the night --

II

Since he was Lord of Liang a thousand years have flown,
And of the towers he builded yon ruin stands alone.

III

There reigns a heavy silence; gaunt weeds through windows pry,
And down the streets of Liang old echoes, wailing, die.

MLA

Shih, Kao. “Desolation.” Translated by L. Cranmer-Byng. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/kao-shih/1/.

Chicago

Shih, Kao. “Desolation.” Translated by L. Cranmer-Byng. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/kao-shih/1/.

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