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Birds and beasts cry out,
calling to the flock.
When flowers crowd amidst dead
haulms, no fragrance comes from them.
Fish, by their thatch of scales
are told apart;
But the dragon hides in the
dark his patterned brightness.
Bitter and sweet herbs do not
share the same field;
Orchid and sweet flag bloom
unseen in solitary sweetness.
Only the good man’s lasting
beauty
Preserves its aspect unchanged
through succeeding ages.
—Jiu Chang, ‘Grieving At The
Eddying Wind’, 2nd Century AD
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