
Just as in High Tang, Late Tang also has its two Li and Du: Li He
(790-816) and Du Mu (803-852).
Li He followed the romantic tradition of Qu Yuan and Li Bai, creating
rich, allusion-filled poetry. His pieces were often obscure and depressing,
and Li was regarded as a precursor of Late Tang poets.
Du Mu shunned in his poetry "the ornate and the strange", "the commonplace
and the vulgar". His 7-character quatrains were admired for visual
immediacy and delicacy of feeling.
Li Shengyin (812-858) was the most influential poet of his period.
His 7-character regulated verses read like Du Fu's and Han Yu's in
syntax and structure, and resemble Li He's in allusiveness. His pieces
that are ambiguous and obscure are well known.