Colorful sleeves 2 hold a jade wine goblet with hospitality. I
recall in those years to please me you would drink deeply and become flushed.
Your dance attracts the moon to lower itself to visit Yang-liu
3
Tower. Your song betrays fully the graceful essence behind your peach flower fan
4. Tonight I repeatedly lift my lamp to illuminate the room, so if I
see you, I would know it is not a dream.
1
Ji-dao Yan was the youngest son of Shu Yan. Shu-yuan was Ji-dao's other
first name. He called himself Xiao-shan. In 1105 A.D., Ji-dao was the judge of
Kai-feng City. Because of little work for him to do, he was transferred to a
position of first rank.
2
"Colorful sleeves" refers to a geisha girl who masters singing and dancing.
3
"Yang" means poplar tree and “liu” means willow tree.
4
The geisha hides her face behind her peach flower fan while she sings.