The Zhongnan Mountains终南山

The Zhongnan Mountains

Wang Wei

by Wang Baotong

O mighty peaks with Heaven lined

A-rolling on to distant sea!

The fleecy clouds close up from behind,

Blue mists when near, are nowhere to see.

The Central Peak is where to hold

All valleys, bright and dark, in view.

But where to pass the night so cold?

'Cross the stream's a woodman'---"How d'ye do!"

This poem shows the incredible virtuosity of Wang Wei not only as a poet, but also as a painter, especially in Lines 3,4 and 8.

终南山

王维

太乙近天都，连山接海隅。

白云回望合，青霭入看无。

分野中峰变，阴晴众壑殊。

欲投人处宿，隔水问樵夫。