The Shih King, or, Book of Poetry

"The Shih King, or, Book of Poetry" by James Legge is a translation of the oldest existing collection of Chinese poetry, comprising 305 works dating from the 11th to 7th centuries BC. This ancient anthology, one of the "Five Classics" traditionally attributed to Confucius, contains folk songs voicing common people's experiences—love, longing, farming, and political protest—alongside ritual hymns praising Zhou dynasty founders. Its four-syllable meter and distinctive rhyme patterns have shaped Chinese literary tradition for over two millennia, making it essential to understanding Chinese culture and language.

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