Li Shangyin was born about 812 or 813 CE, but the exact date is uncertain. His career was rough, and he never obtained a high position, either because of factional disputes or because of his association with Liu Fen (劉蕡), a prominent opponent of the eunuchs.

 

瑶池

瑶池阿母绮窗开,

黄竹歌[1]声动地哀。

八骏[2]日行三万里,

穆王何事不重来。

此诗以《穆天子传》所载的西王母与周穆王相约见面的传说来构思,讥刺了皇帝求仙的虚妄。晚唐迷信求长生不老之风尤为盛行,宪宗、穆宗、武宗等皆因四处求仙、服丹药妄求长生而丧命,诗人以此诗嘲讽那些统治者,恰如其分。

注释:

[1]黄竹歌:逸诗,也作《黄竹诗》。

[2]八骏:传说周穆王有八匹骏马,可日行三万里。

The Pond of Jewels

TheQ ueen of Jewel Pond opened her window wide

But only heard grievous songs rolling to her side.

The royal steeds could run ten thousand miles a day

Why did the emperor not come again and stay?

Note:The Goddess of Jewel Pond waited in vain for the arrival of Emperor Zhou Mu(周穆王)whose steeds could run ten thousand miles a day.This verse shows that even a goddess could not immortalize an emperor.