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h6.“White Colt”, illustrated by Ma Hezhi
Made in the mid-12th century
Handscroll; ink and color on silk

This scroll commissioned by the Emperor Gaozong of Song renders the poem "White Colt" from the [i]Classic of Poetry[/i] (Shijing), traditionally believed to have been compiled by Confucius, in calligraphy by a court scribe and an illustrative painting by Ma Hezhi. An explanatory note known as the [i]Mao Commentary[/i] precedes the poem.

[quote]“White Colt”, a minister’s critique of King Xuan.

Unsullied the white colt
Eating the young shoots of my stackyard.
Keep it tethered, keep it tied
All day long.
The man whom I love
Here makes holiday.

Unsullied the white colt
Eating the bean leaves of my stackyard.
Keep it tethered, keep it tied
All night long.
The man whom I love
Is here, a lucky guest.

Unsullied the white colt
That came so swiftly.
Like a duke, like a lord
Let your revels have no end.
Prolong your idle play,
Protract your leisure.

Unsullied the white colt
In that deserted valley,
With a bundle of fresh fodder.
'Though you, its master, are fair as jade
Do not let the news off you be rare as gold or jade,
Keeping your thoughts far away.’

White Colt[/quote]

A collection of paintings by Ma Hezhi illustrating poems from the [i]Classic of Poetry[/i].