In the preparation of this little volume I have drawn largely upon
the prose translations of the great English and French pioneers
in the field of Chinese literature, notably Professor Giles
and the Marquis d'Hervey-Saint-Denys. The copy of the latter's
`Poe/sies des Thang' which I possess has been at various times
the property of William Morris, York Powell, and John Payne,
and contains records of all three, and pencil notes of illuminating criticism,
for which I believe the translator of `The Arabian Nights'
is mainly responsible. My thanks are due to Mr. Lionel Giles
for the translation of Po Chu-i's "Peaceful Old Age",
and for the thorough revision of the Chinese names throughout the book.
Mr. Walter Old is also responsible for a few of Po Chu-i's shorter poems
here rendered. For the convenience of readers who desire
to pursue the subject further, I have appended a short list
of the very few books obtainable. In this matter Mr. A. Probsthain
has given me invaluable assistance.