On the third day of the Third-month in the freshening weather Many beauties take the air by the Changan waterfront, Receptive, aloof, sweet-mannered, sincere, With soft fine skin and well-balanced bone. Their embroidered silk robes in the spring sun are gleaming – With a mass of golden peacocks and silver unicorns. And hanging far down from their temples Are blue leaves of delicate kingfisher feathers. And following behind them Is a pearl-laden train, rhythmic with bearers. Some of them are kindred to the Royal House – The titled Princesses Guo and Qin. Red camel-humps are brought them from jade broilers, And sweet fish is ordered them on crystal trays. Though their food-sticks of unicorn-horn are lifted languidly And the finely wrought phoenix carving-knife is very little used, Fleet horses from the Yellow Gate, stirring no dust, Bring precious dishes constantly from the imperial kitchen. ...While a solemn sound of flutes and drums invokes gods and spirits, Guests and courtiers gather, all of high rank; And finally, riding slow, a dignified horseman Dismounts at the pavilion on an embroidered rug. In a snow of flying willow-cotton whitening the duckweed, Bluebirds find their way with vermilion handkerchiefs – But power can be as hot as flame and burn people's fingers. Be wary of the Premier, watch for his frown.