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?