<Header>
<Author: 杜甫>
<Title: 麗人行>
<Format: 七言古詩>
<Year: 1944>
<BookName: A FURTHER SELECTION FROM THE THREE HUNDRED POEMS OF THE T'ANG DYNASTY>
<Translator: SOAME JENYNS>
<TranslatedTitle: The Snare of Beauty>
<BookPage: 55-56>
<UsedPage: 2>
<Feature: 4>
<End Header>
<Poem>
三月三日天氣新，
長安水邊多麗人。
態濃意遠淑且真，
肌理細膩骨肉勻。
繡羅衣裳照暮春，
蹙金孔雀銀麒麟。
頭上何所有，
翠微𡉼葉垂鬢脣。
背後何所見，
珠壓腰衱穩稱身。
就中雲幕椒房親，
賜名大國虢與秦。
紫駝之峰出翠釜，
水精之盤行素鱗。
犀箸厭飫久未下，
鑾刀縷切空紛綸。
黃門飛鞚不動塵，
御廚絡繹送八珍。
簫鼓哀吟感鬼神，
賓從雜遝實要津。
後來鞍馬何逡巡，
當軒下馬入錦茵。
楊花雪落覆白蘋，
青鳥飛去銜紅巾。
炙手可熱勢絕倫，
慎莫近前丞相嗔。
<End Poem>
<Translation>
ON the third day of the third month as the weather was perfect
By the side of the water of Ch’ang-an walked many beautiful women;
Their voluptuous poise betokened their unconscious thoughts, yet they were pure and true.
Their skins were glossy and smooth, bones and flesh evenly balanced,
The embroidered gauze of their clothes reflected the glow of a late spring day
Stamped with gold peacocks and silver unicorns.
What did they have on their heads?
Kingfisher-blue head-dresses of leaves hanging down from the hair at each side.
What do you see on their backs?
Trains from the waist stitched with pearls fitting perfectly to the body.
In their midst the ladies of the "clouded tent" and the "pepper room,"
On whom His Majesty has bestowed the great titles of "Kuo Kuo" and "Ch'in Kuo."
For their delight the purple camel hump is brought from its blue jade cauldron
And crystal plates bear in the delicate carp.
Rhinoceros-horn chopsticks are plied till they are exhausted and they can be tempted no further,
And the green phœnix knife is poised a long time over delicious morsels,
When suddenly through the yellow door fly the imperial horses so fast that they do not stir the dust
Bringing from the imperial kitchens the eight famous dainties in one continuous stream.
(To-day) flute and drum sound sadly stirring the ghosts,
(Yesterday) the guests crowded the assembly, all were of high rank.
At length came a saddled horse; with what state His Majesty rides!
At the pavilion, dismounting from his horse, he sinks upon the embroidered pillows.
(To-day) the catkins of the willow drop like snow upon the white duckweed.
The green birds fly away bearing the red cloth.
Play with fire and you have burnt fingers, and this is calculated to destroy relationships
Oh why were you not more wary to heed the prime minister and his angry looks?
<End Translation>