[updated October 2022]
Jade Pot Chants
玉 壶 吟
烈 士 吉 玉 壶
壮 心 惜 暮 年。
三 杯 拂 剑 舞 秋 月
忽 然 高 永 梯 泗 涟。
风 凰 初 下 紫 泥 沼
谒 帝 称 觞 登 御 筵。
瑜 扬 九 重 万 乘 主
谑 浪 赤 墀 青 琐 贤。
朝 天 数 换 飞 龙 马
敕 赐 珊 瑚 白 玉 鞭。
世 人 不 识 东 方 朔
大 隐 金 门 是 谪 仙。
西 施 宜 笑 复 宜 颦
丑 效 之 徒 累 身。
君 王 虽 爱 蛾 眉 好
无 奈 宫 中 妒 杀 人。
Yu Hu Yin
Lie shi ji yu hu
Zhuang xin xi mu nian.
San bei fu jian wu qiu yue
Hu ran gao yong ti si lian.
Feng huang chu xia zi ni zhao
Ye di chen shang deng yu yan.
Yu yang jiu chong wan cheng zhu
Xue lang chi chi qing suo xian.
Zhao tian shu huan fei long ma
Chi ci shan hu bai you bian.
Shi ren bu shi dong fang shuo
Da yin jin men shi zhe xian.
Xi shi yi xiao fu yi pin
Chou nu xiao zhi tu lei shen.
Jun wang sui ai e mei hao
Wu nai gong zhong du sha ren.
Jade Pot Chants
A martyr hits his auspicious jade pot
In declining years, appreciates a strong heart-mind.
After three cups, sword play under the autumn moon
Continual flow of tears and a runny nose.
Beginning of auspicious omens, the red clay stamp upon imperial documents
Called on the emperor, matching wine cups at the palace banquet.
Asked to praise him and his retinue
Tease and jest some of those on the red steps.
Early dawn, after changing a number of horses, the courier arrives
By imperial edict, given white coral and jade riding crops.
Society people not aware of Dong Fangshuo, a behind-the-scenes advisor
Deeply hidden behind palace doors is Li Bai, a banished immortal.
Xishi is beautiful whether smiling or frowning
Ugly ladies futile attempts to copy her facial expressions.
Emperor easily loves the beautiful ladies
However, the palace is full of envious murderers.
Notes:
Dong Fangshuo: No longer wanted in the palace, like Li Bai.
Xishi: Considered one of the most beautiful ladies in Chinese history.