Hsi and Ho gallop their six steeds <br />Days and nights leave us no leisure, <br />Chasing the crow to Mount Yan-zi's bamboos, <br />They flog their horses with a Coiling Peach whip. <br />Ru Shou no sooner breaks the kingfisher willows, <br />Than the Green Emperor creates red orchids again. <br />Millions of years have rolled by <br />Since Yao and Shun, <br />And no king halted his chariot more than a moment. <br />Green coins, white jade-rings cannot buy time. <br />We should be merry, make the most of the present. <br />Turtle-soup and bears' paws - why bother with them? <br />Let's drink the North Sea out of flagons, <br />Cross-legged on South Mountain, <br />Sing loud and long <br />To the low lilts of flutes, <br />Bestowing gifts of tattoo gold <br />For the amorous glances of singing-girls. <br />This is life at its best! <br />Why struggle to fathom the mind <br />Of the Creating Power? <br /> <br />Let's urge each other to drink, <br />Drink without stopping. <br />May the Emperor's great name <br />Endure without end! <br />His sons and grandsons spread abroad <br />Like arrowroot on rocks! <br /> <br />From Luo-yang to Chang-an <br />Strech lines of carriages. <br />Liang Chi's ancient mansion! <br />The old gardens of Shih Chong!<br /><br />Li He<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/let-s-drink-wine-2/
