The five-character quatrain has been popular since. the early years of the Tang dynasty (618-907), and many well-known poems in this form have been memorized by generation after generation of Chinese people. Children are able to recite many ancient fivecharacter quatrains, often without understanding them. The following poems are among the most popular:

Wang Zhihuan (688-742), "Climbing the Stork Pavilion"
The white sun leaning on the mountain-disappears,.
The Yellow River flows on into the sea;
To stretch your gaze a thousand leagues,
Climb up still another story.

Meng Haoran (689-740), "Spring Dawn"
Asleep in spring unaware of dawn,
And everywhere hear the birds in song.
At night the sound of wind and rain,
You'll know how much from the flowers gone.

Li Bai (701-762), "Quiet Night Thought"
Before my bed the moonlight glitters
Like frost upon the ground.
I look up to the mountain...