<Header>
<Author: 薛逢>
<Title: 宮詞>
<Format: 七言律詩>
<Year: 1940>
<BookName: Selection from the Three Hundred Poems of the Tang Dynasty>
<Translator: Soame Jenyns>
<TranslatedTitle: A Palace Composition>
<BookPage: 59>
<UsedPage: 1>
<Feature: 1, 4>
<End Header>
<Poem>
十二樓中盡曉妝，
望仙樓上望君王。
鎖銜金獸連環冷，
水滴銅龍晝漏長。
雲髻罷梳還對鏡，
羅衣欲換更添香。
遙窺正殿簾開處，
袍袴宮人掃御牀。
<End Poem>
<Translation>
IN the twelve towers her early morning toilet is completed.
From the tower “of looking for fairies” she gazes towards the Emperor’s (apartments).
On the palace gate the locks bite on their golden beasts and the linked rings are cold.
The water drips from the copper dragon.
When will the water clock bring in the day?
Her cloudy hair combed, she looks at the mirror,
She changes her silk clothes, puts on more perfume.
(At last) from a distance she spies on the front hall of the emperor and sees the curtains drawn.
The attendants in their uniforms are making the imperial bed.
<End Translation>
<Formatted Translation>
IN the twelve towers her early morning toilet is completed.
From the tower “of looking for fairies” she gazes towards the Emperor’s (apartments).
On the palace gate the locks bite on their golden beasts and the linked rings are cold.
The water drips from the copper dragon. 
When will the water clock bring in the day?
Her cloudy hair combed, she looks at the mirror,
She changes her silk clothes, puts on more perfume.
(At last) from a distance she spies on the front hall of the emperor and sees the curtains drawn.
The attendants in their uniforms are making the imperial bed.
<End Formatted Translation>