Song Of The Jade Cup

by Li Bai

A jade cup was broken because old age came

　　too soon to give fulfilment to hopes; after drinking

　　three cups of wine I wiped my sword and

　　started to dance under an autumn moon first

　　singing in a high voice then unable to halt

　　tears coming; I remember the day when first

　　I was summoned to court and I was feasted splendidly

　　writing poems in praise of the Emperor, making

　　jokes with officials around several times changing

　　my horse, taking the best from the

　　imperial stables; with my whip studded with

　　jade and coral presented to me by the Emperor,

　　my life was free and easy, people calling me

　　the "Banished Immortal." Hsi Shih was good

　　at smiling as well as frowning, useless

　　for ordinary girls to try and imitate her.

　　Surely it was only her loveliness the king adored,

　　but unfortunately jealousy within the palace

　　led to her death.

　　Li Po