隋宫
李商隐
紫泉宫殿锁烟霞,欲取芜城作帝家。
玉玺不缘归日角,锦帆应是到天涯。
于今腐草无萤火,终古垂杨有暮鸦。
地下若逢陈后主,岂宜重问后庭花?
The Sui Palace
Li Shangyin
Locked in mists and clouds was Emperor Yang’s old, forlorn palace,
For he planned to make a new one of a southern city.
Had Sui’s reign not ended with the rise of Tang Dynasty’s
His brocade-decked boats would have sailed all over the country.
Up to now, in the rotten weeds no firefly can be found,
But there’s always ’mid the dangling willows evening crow-cry.
If in the netherworld, to meet the Lord Chen he comes round,
To ask once more ’bout the Song of Backyard Flowers dare he try?