Celebrating the Clear Reign: The Palace Curtains Hang Low
Imperial awnings hang low, red balustrades shelter it with care: among them all it alone holds the last of the spring. Its beauty stands quiet and still; in that grace one sees nature's own truth. Wait until the common flowers are past — one touch of wind and dew and its dawn-dress is new. Enchanting, alluring, it mocks the wind and laughs at the moon, and long detains the Lord of Spring.
By the eastern wall, upon the southern road, now the sun warms pool and pavilion, and scented wheels race in throng. When the fair feast scatters with the day, who there is to follow in its fragrant dust? Better yet the Mingguang Palace, where a few branches are first touched by the sun's near light. Pour out the golden cups; let the candles burn themselves out — I care nothing for the dusk.
Reading notes
尽烛 also appears as 画烛; this page retains 尽烛. 见天真 describes natural grace. 拚 is read pàn, “to give oneself over to”; 了 is read liǎo in the sense of using up. 金尊倒 is interpreted here as pouring wine, with 倒 read dào; an alternative interpretation pictures overturned cups. The flower has variously been identified as a peony of the woody or herbaceous kind.