Since ancient times, there have been writings of soaring spirit and lofty style.
They purify the mind and startle the soul.
I hear that in our time there is Li Bai,
With his 'Great Hunt Rhapsody' and grand essays, mocking Sima Xiangru and laughing at Yang Xiong.
The works of Ban Gu and Zhang Heng seem trivial, unworthy of the ear; I wonder if Qing and Yun are also within his scorn.
He ascends Mount Lu, beholds the waterfall:
'The sea breeze cannot blow it apart, the river moon shines on its emptiness.'
I love these two lines.
He climbs the Heavenly Terrace, gazes at the Bohai Sea—clouds hang as the great roc flies, mountains press the giant turtle's back—these words are also fine.
As for his other works, mostly unbound by common rules,
Vibrant, soaring, both brilliant and free.
Sometimes drunk, he grasps paper; sometimes inspired, he wields his brush.
Beneath his hand, suddenly a slice of cloud flies; before his eyes, abruptly a lone peak emerges.
And I, sometimes in broad daylight, suddenly wish to sleep;
Awakening with a start, I rise and roll up my sleeves.
I, Ren Hua, know of you; do you, sir, know of Ren Hua?
Later, I heard you were in Chang'an, and when I arrived,
You had gone to Jiangdong to visit Yuan Dan; by chance, I could not see your face.
Often I take wine, gazing eastward for a long time.
They say in past years at the Hanlin Academy,
How dense were the spears and halberds in your breast!
New poems spread on palace lips, fine lines never leave the wise ruler's heart.
Riding a heavenly steed, full of spirit,
Eyes following the wild goose, facing the noble and rich.
Summoned by imperial favor, how many times?
Returning from awaiting orders, still half-drunk.
Powerful ministers envied your great fame, a pack of dogs barked loudly.
By decree, you were released to return to seclusion,
Singing loudly, laughing heartily, you left the pass.
Heading east to the mountains as an external minister,
Feudal lords welcomed you, racing in red-wheeled carriages.
A pair of white jades buys friendship, a hundred yi of gold for a true friend.
In life, aloof and proud, his will unfathomable,
For decades a wanderer, never once lowering his demeanor.
Sleeping bare-chested in the Bayong Tower,
Unmindful of memories at the gates of the five marquises.
Amid lush flowers on Yuetai, by slender willows of Wu Palace.
Green waters and blue mountains know of you,
White clouds and bright moon especially recognize you.
Cultivating loftiness and leisure, visible but unattainable.
Like Zhuangzi beyond all things, like Fan Li among the five lakes.
They say you seek the Way on the vast sea,
Ding Lingwei and Wang Qiao often come and go.
You have surely reached Penglai's path,
And Fangzhang is not merely a square zhang.
I often wish to follow my whim to seek you,
But rivers and lakes block the way, straining my heart.
Today, suddenly meeting an eastward-flying wing,
I send this chapter to express my heart.
If you can reply with a few words,
Just ask if anyone knows Ren Hua.