DR. HART'S translations are too free to be representative of the Chinese poems -- there is hardly any close resemblance between the originals and his renditions in most cases. To illustrate: "The Loyal Wife's Song" of Chang Chi on page 86, which was the poet's letter to governor-general Li Shih Tao in the form of a loyal wife's song refusing his improper invitation to office, was translated by Dr. Hart as follows:

"Pearls!

Twin pearls,

Bright gems of ocean,

To me, a married woman,

You have sent!

Yet you know I have a husband

In attendance, in the palace,

On the Lord of Light, the emperor --

May he live ten thousand years!

But the thought that prompted you

I cherish

In my bosom with the jewels,

There they've lain hidden till this hour,

In the soft, enfolding silk,