Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). The New Poetry: An Anthology. 1917.

On Barbarous Modern Instruments

Arthur Waley, trans.

OF cord and cassia-wood is the harp compounded.

Within it lie ancient melodies—

Ancient melodies, weak and savorless,

Not appealing to present men’s taste.

Light and color are faded from its jade stops;

Dust has covered its rose-red strings:

Decay and ruin came to it long ago.

But the sound that is left is still cold and clear,

And I do not refuse to play it to you.

But even if I play, people won’t listen.

How did it come to be neglected so?

It was because of the Ch’iang flute and the Ch’in flageolet.