I love Li of Mount Emei,
In dreams I seek but find him not.
Suddenly I hear a crane rider over the sea,
Saying Bai is feasting with the Queen Mother.
In a moment, not fully drunk, he descends from the azure void,
Shakes his head, rides the waves, whipping a red fish.
Looking back, surveying all flying and running creatures,
As if annoyed by the aged air that often ends things.
He asks me, 'Zhang Hu, are you the mad one?'
'This morning the Queen Mother was at Jasper Pool,', 'Maojun said you still love wine.'
Hu, you should listen to me,
I, in the Kaiyuan era,
Was born in a time of wise rule,
Rose to fame relying on literary prowess.
A single word's approval rested with Elder He,
Thus I knew this old man's heart was still just.
The court greatly praised me,
I too considered myself surpassing.
After Yanling died came Li Bai,
A commoner who boldly saluted the emperor.
Emperor Xuanzong delighted in his discourse,
Filling the court with vibrant energy.
The eunuch Gao Lishi,
Removed his boot in shame, wishing for pleasure.
Slander secretly wove its web,
Sending him away ten thousand miles.
Toiling, returning night after night,
Understanding friends grew ever fewer.
The once lofty Li Bai,
Haggard, became a wine drinker.
From then on in the mortal world,
The great tiger found no meat to eat.
A man values spirit and resolve,
A million coins gambled with a shout.
Dong Xian held high rank before,
Liang Ji's amassed gold was wasted after his family's ruin.
On Mount Kuang, drunk at night,
I chant your ancient-style poems.
Reviving the spirit of the 'Greater' and 'Lesser' Ya,
Bringing glory again to this man's verse.
Elder He I cannot see,
A hundred poems are done in vain.
Li Bai sighs for you, shedding empty tears,
Wang Qiao hears of you and misses you dearly.
You should, in ten thousand days,
Visit me on Penglai Mountain.
Call out loudly for Li Bai,
To open for you the mystic gate.
Dawn comes, the dream ends, Bai also leaves,
Alone, this body between heaven and earth.