King Mu nightly visited Pengchi's bends
Golden Luan Hall opened, high candles held
Eastern-side disciple Cao Shancai
Pipa requested to present newly composed tunes
Green-browed ladies seated in rows, palace women
Sheng and flutes uneven, laughter and talk in unison
Imperial countenance quietly listened to red strings played
All other music silent, none dared to raise
Flower-holding golden phoenix receives the plectrum
Turning wrist, gathering strings, swiftly sweeping and stroking
Flowers whirl, phoenix cries descend from heaven
Hovering, fills the hall with flying spring snow
Plucking strings, composing tunes, new sounds issue forth
Golden bells, jade pendants mutually grate and slice
Flowing orioles, mother and child, fly to Shanglin
Immortal cranes, male and female, cry to bright moon
At this time, receiving decree, served in Golden Luan
Separate hall, bestowed grace, permitted to summon and play
Third month, Qu River's spring grass green
Nine-heavenly music descends from cloud's edge
Purple-bearded attendant kneels before
Exhausts marvelous tunes in spring day
Cold spring injects, Long River opens
Barbarian geese tumble flying toward sky's oblivion
Sun dims, dust darkens, carriages and horses scatter
To cherish new sound, there remains a sigh
Next year, crown and sword closed at Qiao Mountain
Ten thousand li, lone subject cast to sea's shore
Caged bird, clipped wings, still returns flying
White-haired, life brought back from Five Ridges return
Hearing Shancai has become decayed bones
Only disciples left upholding tonal legacy
Southern Qiao, lonely, late in third spring
There is a guest plucking strings, alone, mournful, resentful
Quietly listening to deep strains under Chu moonlight
Recalling first hearing Qu River banquet
Heart grieves, unaware tears stream down
Again for tuning strings, repeatedly plays
Autumn blast sways goddess's girdle gems
Moon pearls strike crystal plate
Self-pitying, Huaihai same as mire and dregs
Hateful soul congealed heart not yet dead
Melancholy, recalling past, all things empty
Yongmen's lamentations are merely this