Unrequited love's
                 a creditor

Coming round each day
                     to make me pay.

Always shouldering
                  such a sack of woe,

I can't even defer for
                      the interest I owe —

& not until I meet
                  that lass again
could I settle this account.

— Hsü Tsai-szu

Untitled
(to the tune of "A Spring Tune")

Awakening
              from drinking wine,
              dreams
hovering over,
              after twilight,

The boudoir soon
                  encircled in
                  moonlight,
evening lengthens,

          & she pouts,
          murmuring
             Wake up,
              Oh! my love,
                           this night's
              so fine, —
              its time
                       runs out!

— Anonymous

On Love
(to the tune of "Half and Half")

Blue silk curtains shut,
                        it's quiet,
no one's around.

He kneels down
              onto the bed
& quickly begs

like this: let's
                 kiss & make
up!

She will bawl him
                 out like this: wretched
dog, repentant? —

although I'm making
                   a big hullaballoo
I'm saying

no,
   &
yes.

— Kuan Han-ching

Notes:

"Songs of Xanadu" is a phrase coined by Prof. James I. Crump to refer to what's now known as Chinese opera aria as they emerged during the Yüan dynasty (1280-1369). The source of some of the greatest poetry of China, they haven't been translated until mid-20th century, and many remain untranslated today.

Kuan Han-ching was one of the most prolific writers of the form, with over 60 plays to his credit. Hsü Tsai-szu was known as a love lyricist. "Anonymous" was frequently the penname of women who could not use their own name.