Song Ci is an important part of ancient Chinese literature, known alongside Tang poetry as the "twin peaks". Ci originated in the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Song Dynasty, featuring masters like Su Shi, Xin Qiji, and Li Qingzhao.
梁溪西畔小桥东。 落叶纷纷水映空。 五夜客愁花片里,一年春事角声中。 歌残玉树人何在,舞破山香曲未终。 却忆孤山醉归路,马蹄香雪衬东风。
两行芳蕊傍溪阴。 一笑嫣然抵万金。 火齐照林光灼灼,彤霞射水影沈沈。 晓妆无力胭脂重,春醉方酣酒晕深。 定自格高难著句,不应工部总无心。