Song Of The Jade Cup

A jade cup was broken because old age came

too soon to give fulfilment to hopes; after drinking

three cups of wine I wiped my sword and

started to dance under an autumn moon first

singing in a high voice then unable to halt

tears coming; I remember the day when first

I was summoned to court and I was feasted splendidly

writing poems in praise of the Emperor, making

jokes with officials around several times changing

my horse, taking the best from the

imperial stables; with my whip studded with

jade and coral presented to me by the Emperor,

my life was free and easy, people calling me

the "Banished Immortal." Hsi Shih was good

at smiling as well as frowning, useless

for ordinary girls to try and imitate her.

Surely it was only her loveliness the king adored,

but unfortunately jealousy within the palace

led to her death.