Li Shangyin (813–858) was a poet from the late-Tang era famous for his dense and cryptic poetic imagery.

 

吴宫[1]

龙槛[2]沉沉水殿清,

禁门[3]深掩断人声。

吴王宴罢满宫醉,

日暮水漂花出城。

该诗借咏史以讽刺封建王侯的荒奢,王公贵族们成天沉迷于醉生梦死的奢靡生活中,老百姓却民不聊生,过着食不果腹、饥寒交迫的生活。诗人借古慨今,用心良苦,色彩鲜明,言尽而味无穷。

注释:

[1]吴宫:春秋末年吴王夫差所建宫殿。

[2]龙槛:宫中临水有栏杆的亭轩类建筑。

[3]禁门:宫禁的大门。

The Eastern Palace

Shadows of poolside bowers cast on water clear,

All the doors closed,merry-making noises disappear.

After the royal feast all the palace is drank.

Only fallen petals flow out when the sun is sunk.