[updated September 2022]
Feelings of Leisure: (Seven Parts): No. 2
Emotions Leisured and Cultivated
(2)
闲 情 赋
夫 何 瓌 之 令 姿
独 旷 世 以 秀 群。
表 倾 城 之 艳 色
期 有 德 于 传 闻。
佩 鸣 玉 以 比 洁
齐 幽 兰 以 争 芬；
淡 柔 情 于 俗 内
负 雅 志 于 高 云。
Xian Qing Fu
(2)
Fu he gui zhi ling zi
Du kuang shi yi xiu qun.
Biao qing cheng zhi yan se
Qi you de yu chuan wen.
Pei ming yu yi bi jie
Qi you lan yi zheng fen;
Dan rou qing yu su nei
Fu ya zhi yu gao yun.
Feelings of Leisure: (Seven Parts): No. 2
Emotions Leisured and Cultivated
Her jade stone appearance rare and marvelous
One of a kind, peerless among an elegant group.
Lovely enough to cause the fall of a city or state
I hope to hear from others that she is moral and virtuous.
The sound of clicking jade stones affirms that she is an example of clarity and purity
Together with deep and remote orchids she compares with this sweet fragrance.
For her having a soft and gentle demeanor important, and to have what is above common people expectations of ladies inside the palace
She values having elegance and ideals that are higher than the clouds.
Commentary:
Chinese folklore does related a story about a woman so beautiful and refined, that she literally brought down an empire. In history, after Tao Yuanming’s passing, during the Tang Dynasty, Yang Guifei has been credited with distracting Emperor Xuanzong, which led to rebellion of An Lushan. This rebellion led to the collapse and end of Xuanzong’s reign.