The Emperor

On a throne of new gold the Son of the Sky is sitting among his Mandarins. He shines with jewels and is like a sun surrounded by stars.

The Mandarins speak gravely of grave things; but the Emperor's thought has flown out by the open window.

In her pavilion of porcelain the Empress is sitting among her women. She is like a bright flower among leaves.

She dreams that her beloved stays too long at council, and wearily she moves her fan.

A breathing of perfumed air kisses the face of the Emperor.

" My beloved moves her fan, and sends me a perfume from her lips. "

Towards the pavilion of porcelain walks the Emperor, shining with his jewels; and leaves his grave Mandarins to look at each other in silence.
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Author of original: 
Tu Fu
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