[updated September 2022]
Mt. Li: Three Classical Poems of Four Lines Each: No. 1
骊 山： 三 绝 句
(1)
功 成 虽 欲 善 持 盈
可 叹 前 王 恃 太 平。
辛 苦 骊 山 山 下 土
阿 房 才 废 又 华 清。
Li Shan: San Jue Ju
(1)
Gong cheng sui yu shan chi ying
Ke tan qian wang shi tai ping.
Xin ku li shan shan xia tu
A fang cai fei you hua qing.
Mt. Li: Three Classical Poems of Four Lines Each: No. 1
Even though success comes, only the wise can hold onto it
Former emperors relied too heavily on peace and tranquility.
The subsoil of Mt. Li has suffered many assaults and violations
First the Zhou, then the Tang emperor’s buildings and dreams collapse.
Notes:
Mt. Li: Located northeast of the ancient capital city of Chang’an (Xi’an).