Straddling a tiger, the King of Ch'in <br />Roams the Eight Poles, <br />His glittering sword lights up the sky, <br />Heaven turns sapphire. <br /> <br />Hsi and Ho whip up the sun <br />With the sound of glass, <br />The ashes of kalpas have flown away, <br />Past and present at peace. <br /> <br />From a dragon's head spouts wine <br />Inviting the Wine-Stars, <br />All night the gold-groove zithers <br />Twang and sing. <br />The feet of rain on Dong-ting lake <br />Come blown on the pipes. <br />Flushed with wine, he shouts at the moon <br />It runs back in its course. <br />Beneath dense drifts of silver clouds <br />The jasper hall glows. <br /> <br />The Keepers of the Palace Gate <br />Cry out the first watch. <br />In the ornate tower, a jade phoenix sings, <br />Faltering and sweet. <br />From ocean-pongee, patterned in crimson, <br />A faint, cool scent. <br />The yellow beauties reel in their dance. <br />A thousand years with each cup! <br /> <br />As fairy candlesticks waft on high <br />A light, waxy smoke, <br />Eyes rapt with wine, those Emerald Lutes <br />Shed seas of tears.<br /><br />Li He<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-king-of-ch-in-drinks-wine-2/
