Three Poems Presented When the Emperor Visited Xinfeng Hotsprings Palace #1, Shangguan Wan’er

The third month of the winter season, in the Jinglong Reign:
Ten-thousand chariots as sentry guards, departing from Ba River.
I see afar the lightnings frolic, dragons as their steeds—
I turn to stare at the frosty plains, the fields seemingly jade.

三冬季月景龙年，
万乘观风出灞川。
遥看电跃龙为马，
回瞩霜原玉作田。

Let’s do the other two poems of the series, while I’m at it. The emperor in question is Zhongzong, during his second reign (707-710), and the outing began on 16 January 709. To stand sentry on lookout is literally “watch the wind.” The Ba River (now called Bahe River) ran past the eastern wall of Chang’an. (Source)

---L.

Three Poems Presented When the Emperor Visited Xinfeng Hotsprings Palace #3, Shangguan Wan’er

Emerald tent with gemstone sides—an open moonlit camp;
Golden wine-jar and jade wine-cup—a floating orchid petal.
Year after year, age after age, always his escort makes way;
For long and long, for ever and ever, music ascends harmonious.

翠幕珠帏敞月营，
金罍玉斝泛兰英。
岁岁年年常扈跸，
长长久久乐升平。

This one? This isn’t as good. It’s got technique and flattery, and not much else. Oh well. (Source)

(I will get back to 300 Tang Poems, really I will. Maybe I should skip the rest of Du Mu and move on.)

---L.