Contents: Part I. In the Beginning The Legacy of Shih and Sao (12th Century B.C. - 3rd Century B.C.). Part II. A World fragmented Multiplied Voices in a Period of Intellectual Foment 3rd Century B.C. -A.D. 6th Century. Part III. Expanding Horizons and the Fall Flowering of the Shih (During Tang Dynasty 618-907). Part IV. Cross pollination: The Predominance of the Tz'u or Lyrical Meters (In the Five Dynasties and the Sung Eras 10th -13th Century). Part V. The Rise of the San - ch u or Song Poems ( In the Mongol ruled Society 1234-1368). Part VI. In the Long Tradition Accommodation and Challenge ( Ming 1368-1644; Ch'ing 1644-1911; The Republic 1912- .