Verses praising peonies:
1. "Qing Ping Tiao" Li Bai, Tang Dynasty
The famous flowers make the country happy, and the kings look at them with smiles.
Explanation: The spring breeze is infinitely hateful, and the Agarwood Pavilion leans on the railing in the north.
Translation
The peerless beauty and the red peony complement each other, and the beauty and the famous flower make the king look at it with a smile. The moving beauty is like the spring breeze that can dispel infinite resentment. She is leaning on the railing in the Agarwood Pavilion facing north.
2. "Peony Appreciation" by Liu Yuxi, Tang Dynasty
The peony demon in front of the court has no character, and the hibiscus on the pond is pure and unfeeling.
Only the peony is the true national color, which moves the capital when it blooms.
Translation
The peonies in front of the court are enchanting and gorgeous but lack of character; the lotus in the pond is elegant and clean but lacks charm.
Only peonies are the real beauty of the sky. When they bloom, they attract countless people to admire them and startle the entire city of Chang'an.
3. "Red Peony" Wang Wei, Tang Dynasty
The green is leisurely and quiet, and the red is light and deep.
The heart of a flower is full of sorrow, but the beauty of spring does not know the heart.
Translation
The green leaves of the red peony are quietly stretching, and the colors of the red peony vary from bright to dark.
Facing withering, the peony is heartbroken. May I ask Spring, do you understand what the peony is thinking?
4. "A poem about admiring peonies" by Liu Yuxi, Tang Dynasty
The peony demon in front of the court has no character, and the hibiscus on the pond is clean and has little emotion.
Only peonies are the true national color, and they move the capital when they bloom.
Translation
The peonies in front of the court are enchanting and gorgeous but lack of character; the lotus in the pond is elegant and clean but lacks charm.
Only peonies are the real beauty of the sky. When they bloom, they attract countless people to admire them and startle the entire city of Chang'an.
5. "Peony" by Li Shangyin, Tang Dynasty
The brocade curtain was first rolled up on Mrs. Wei, and the embroidered quilts were still piled up across Ejun.
Hands down, jade pendants are flipped randomly, and tulip skirts are danced with bent waists.
The candles of the Shi family were never cut, and the Xun ordered the incense burner to be smoked.
I am a colored pen passed down in a dream, and I want to write flowers and leaves and send them to the morning clouds.
Translation
The brocade curtains have just been rolled up, and it is the beautiful Mrs. Wei; the silk-embroidered quilt is still piled up, and it is the handsome Yue Ejun.
It seems to be dancing with hands hanging down, and the carved jade pendants are turning randomly; it also seems to be dancing with the waist bent, and the tulip skirts are gyrating.
It is like Shi Chong’s candle. Why do you need to cut off the wick often? It is like Xun Lingjun's body and skin. How can it be dyed and scented with an incense burner?
I am the poet Jiang Yan. I got that colored pen in my dream. I want to inscribe beautiful words on the flowers and leaves and send them to Chaoyun.