Elegiac Couplet for Yang Changji[1]

(January 1920)

Remembering the Master in his scholar’s cap, thrice calling out—strive, strive, together strive;
Resenting the vast Heaven for not sparing this one elder—heartless, heartless, utterly heartless.

[1] Yang Changji, also named Huaizhong, courtesy name Huasheng, was a native of Changsha County, Hunan Province. He was an ethicist and educator. He studied in Japan and Britain. He cared for Mao Zedong, Cai Hesen, Xiao Zisheng, and a group of progressive youth, encouraging them to strive upward and establish a correct outlook on life, and facilitated the founding of the New People’s Study Society. He taught at the First Normal School for six years. In 1918, he was appointed professor of ethics at Peking University. He passed away in 1920.

[2] Fuzi (Master): a term of respect for a learned person. Here it refers to Yang Changji. Ze (cap): a type of headscarf in ancient times. San hu (thrice calling): three calls or exhortations. Refers to Mr. Yang’s earnest and tireless teachings to Mao Zedong and others.

[3] Haotian (vast Heaven): Hao, pronounced hao, means the vast sky. Yi lao (one elder): refers to Yang Changji.