Ma Zhiyuan (1250-1321) styled Dongli, was born in Dadu (today's Beijing). One of the Four Master Dramatists of the Yuan dynasty, Ma wrote altogether 15 plays, of which seven have survived. His Sanqu poems give expressions to his regrets of an unrecognized talent and the longings of an undetermined recluse. He was a success wherever he directed his efforts in terms of poetry writing whether in a sublime or beautiful style.
马致远（1250-1321）号东篱，大都（今北京）人。为“元曲四大家”之一，著杂剧十五种，今存七种。其散曲主要抒发文士怀才不遇的悲愤与消极遁世思想。艺术上纵横挥洒，无不如意，豪放清丽，兼而有之。
Autumn Moon above Lake Dongting (3) to the tune of Life-giving Sun
寿阳曲·洞庭秋月（三）
Voices are now still,
人初静，
The moon is bright and chill.
月正明。
On the gauze window are neglected the slanting twings of a plum tree.
纱窗外玉梅斜映。
You, the plum blossoms, do not shake your shadows sneering at me,
梅花笑人休弄影，
When the moon sets, and lonely as I am now you will be.
月沉时一般孤另。