654 t h e a n n a l s o f k i n g t’a e j o
Along streets stretching long, numerous stores are lined up;
Thousands of colorful roofs adjoin one another.
Watching exciting dances while having a gold cup full of wine,
I could not help reciting a new poem again to the sound of the lute.
Having already found great favor with the emperor, how can I decline to
drink?
As I returned to my quarters quite drunk, the moon was high in
the sky.After Having a Good Time at Beishi Pavilion
Looking down from Beishi Pavilion in front of Mt. Zhongfu,
I see red roofs soaring high, showing the strength of the nation.
As a traveler favored by the emperor visits the city from a distant land,
A beautiful dancing girl approaches him to offer a drink.
I drank to my heart’s content and, feeling lonely,
I returned to my quarters, but I have no regrets at all.
Since I have never had the favor of the emperor like this time,
The only thing to do is to be grateful to him all my life.Watching the Slopes of the River after Drinking at Zuixian Pavilion
A nice day for sightseeing, and I climb Zuxian Pavilion.
Looking at the river and the sky while leaning against the balustrade,
The wind and haze adjoin the lands outside the capital,
And clouds and waters stretch afar to the coast of the sea.
Not declining to drink, I became under the influence
While having too much of tasty and fragrant dishes.
At the sound of a song, I forgot that I was a traveler,
And, being grateful, I wished the emperor many years of blessed life.Revisiting Heming Pavilion and Listening to the Sound of Jade Pendants
Climbing up Heming Pavilion and walking around on the terrace for
a while,
A girl wearing jade pendants walks toward me lightly.
It’s such a pleasure to listen to her song, to the accompaniment of the
exquisite lute.