105

Han Hung (fl. 750–780) was a native of Nanyang in Honan province. Although he served in midlevel posts in the capital, he was far better known for his poetry and was ranked as one of the Ten Talents of the Tali Period (766–779). One day when the chief minister informed Emperor Te-tsung that there was an opening in the Secretariat, the emperor said, “Give the post to Han Hung.” The minister replied, “But there are two Han Hungs. Which one does his majesty mean?” Te-tsung said, “The one who wrote ‘The city in spring isn’t safe from flying petals.’” Although nowadays this poem is read as a critique of the privileged class, the emperor read it as a praise of imperial largesse. As noted in the commentary to verse 103, during the two days before Grave Sweeping Day no hot food was eaten. This observance was said to have begun 2,600 years ago with Duke Wen of the state of Chin, to commemorate the death of Chieh Chih-t’ui, who refused to come out of seclusion to serve at the Duke’s court. Furious at Chieh’s refusal, the Duke ordered the mountain on which Chieh lived burned. Chieh still refused to come down and died in the fire. Here, too, the poet notes the imperial custom, begun by Han-dynasty emperors, of sending lighted candles to the rich and powerful, who were thus allowed to ignore the ban on fire.

Cold Food

HAN HUNG

The city in spring isn’t safe from flying petals

on Cold Food Day before the East Wind royal willows lean

candles are sent from palace halls at sunset

smoke curls faintly inside the great estates