In The Night

Choi Choong. (Early 2nd Century A.D.)

The leading literary light of his period, Choi Choong is described as “... a man of commanding presence and uprightness of heart . . .” He was a teacher and a poet with an inclination towards the fantastic. The following was written as a song to be sung with harp and drum.

Light of the silver torch that has no smoke

Recalls me from the seventh world of sleep.

A shadow pine tree grows upon my wall.

On the white paper of my window screen

A shadow hill by shadow brush is drawn.

All life is shadow in my room tonight.

I know not if I wake or if I sleep—

Music breathes through the silence; can it be

Wind in the shadow pine tree, or a song

Drawn from a hidden harp that has no string?