WRITTEN WHILE TAKING SEVEN PACES

Cao Zhi

(192—232, Three Kingdoms period)

Pods burned to cook peas;

Peas weep in the pot:

"Grown from the same trees,

Why boil us so hot?"

七步诗 

曹植·三国时期魏国

煮豆燃豆萁,豆在釜中泣。

本是同根生,相煎何太急？

About the poet 

Cao Zhi, a Chinese poet who was the son of Cao Cao, one of China's most famous historic figures from the Eastern Han dynasty (25-220). The poet fell out of favor with his eldest brother, who later became the first emperor of Wei and threatened to execute Cao Zhi if the latter could not compose a poem before he could walk seven paces. The resulting poem uses peas and pods as a metaphor for the brothers' relationship.

About the translator 

Xu Yuanchong was born in Nanchang in East China's Jiangxi Province. He was a professor of literary translation at Peking University. 

About the book 

Golden Treasury of Chinese Poetry in Han, Wei and Six Dynasties / Translated by Xu Yuanchong (1921-2021) Published by China Intercontinental Press

Golden Treasury of Chinese Poetry in Han, Wei and Six Dynasties / Translated by Xu Yuanchong (1921-2021) Published by China Intercontinental Press