1.

Lament for Wang Xiyan

A qijue

1903

Chen Duxiu’s life as a revolutionary began in 1902 when, as a student at the Kobun Institute in Japan, he joined several anti-Manchu revolutionary organisations. Wang Xiyan (1873–1902) was Chen’s close friend from Anhui. He shared Chen’s determination to acquire Western learning in order to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and establish a republic. He died of illness in 1902, while studying at the Jiangnan Military School.

Crying, I read the dreadful news,

stricken by this early loss.

Nothing can pain a hero more

than not to die in battle for one’s land.

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A qijue: A form of verse with four lines each comprising seven characters.