Lin Bu

Lin Bu (Chinese: 林逋; 967-1028)^[1] was a Chinese poet during the Northern Song dynasty. His courtesy name was Junfu (君復). One of the most famous verse masters of his time,^[2] Lin lived in recluse by the West Lake in Hangzhou for much of his later life. His works and theatrical solitude won him nationwide fame,^[2] and he was offered prestigious government posts, although he refused all civic duties in pursuit of his poetry. Long after he died, Lin's eccentric attitude and his works retained a vivid place in Song cultural imagination and later works.^[2]

Works

Lin is well known for his romantic poems. One example of his works, titled Everlasting Longing is shown below:

“

相思令 吴山青. 越山青. 兩岸青山相對迎. 爭忍有離情. 君淚盈. 妾淚盈. 羅帶同心結未成. 江邊潮已平.

”

“

Everlasting Longing[1] The northern hills so green, The southern hills so green, They greet your ship which sails river between. My grief at parting is so keen. Tears streaming from your eyes, Tears streaming from my eyes, In vain we tried to join by marriage ties. I see the silent river rise.

”

References

1. 100 Tang and Song ci poems.
2. Kang-i Sun Chang; Stephen Owen, eds. (2008). The Cambridge History of Chinese Literature, Volume 1. Cambridge University Press. p. 371. ISBN 0-521-85558-6.