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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE POEMS OF COLD MOUNTAIN: 121 by HAN SHAN

First Line: BUILDING SKY-HIGH PAVILIONS IS USELESS
Last Line: AT LEAST DON'T BE CROOKED AS A HOOK
Subject(s): CHINESE LITERATURE; VANITY; VIRTUE;

Building sky-high pavilions is useless
climbing hundred-foot towers is vain
practicing yoga you'll still die young
indulging in books won't get you enfeoffed
why should you follow a yellow beak
and why must you loathe a white head
even if you're not straight as an arrow
at least don't be crooked as a hook



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