Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO THE CITY OF NANKING, by LI PO


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO THE CITY OF NANKING, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thou that hast seen six kingdoms pass away
Last Line: To mingle with the abysms of the sea.
Alternate Author Name(s): Rihaku; Li Pai; Li Tai Pe; Li Bo; Li Bai
Subject(s): Nanking, China


Thou that hast seen six kingdoms pass away,
Accept my song and these three cups I drain!
There may be fairer gardens light the plain;
Thine are the dim blue hills more fair than they.

Here Kings of Wu were crowned and overthrown,
Where peaceful grass along the ruin wins;
Here -- was it yesterday? -- the royal Tsins
Called down the dreams of sunset into stone.

One end awaits for all that mortal be;
Pride and despair shall find a common grave:
The Yang-tse-kiang renders wave and wave
To mingle with the abysms of the sea.








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