by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (156 BCE - 87 BCE)
Translation by Arthur Waley (1889 - 1969)

Li Fu‑Jen
Language: English  after the Chinese (中文) 
The sound of her silk skirt has stopped.
On the marble pavement dust grows.
Her empty room is cold and still.
Fallen leaves are piled against the doors.
Longing for that lovely lady
How can I bring my aching heart to rest?

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

Confirmed with A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems. Translated by Arthur Waley, New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1922. The poem is followed by the following note: 

The above poem was written by Wu-ti when his mistress, Li Fu-jēn, died. Unable to bear his grief, he sent for wizards from all parts of China, hoping that they would be able to put him into communication with her spirit. At last one of them managed to project her shape on to a curtain. The emperor cried:
        Is it or isn't it?
        I stand and look.
        The swish, swish of a silk skirt.
        How slow she comes!


Text Authorship:

Based on:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2025-04-20
Line count: 6
Word count: 42