An Ancient Poem

覽百卉之英茂 無斯華之獨靈
結修根於重壤 泛清流而擢莖
退潤王宇 進文帝庭
竦芳柯以從風 奮纖枝之璀璨
其始榮也 皦若夜光尋扶桑
其揚暉也 晃若九陽出旸谷
芙蓉蹇產 菡萏星屬
絲條垂珠 丹榮吐綠
焜焜韡韡 爛若龍燭
觀者終朝 情猶未足
於是狡童媛女 相與同遊
擢素手於羅袖 接紅葩於中流

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Among the luxuriant splendour of a hundred blossoms, none possesses a radiance so singular and numinous as this flower. It binds its long roots deep within the layered earth, yet lifts its stem to rise upon the clear, drifting waters. In retreat, it lends grace to the chambers of princes; advancing, it adorns the courts of emperors. Its fragrant boughs rise upright and sway with the wind; its slender branches flare forth in glittering brilliance. At the moment of its first flowering, it gleams like the luminous orb of night pursuing the Fusang tree. When it spreads its radiance, it dazzles like the nine suns rising together from the Valley of Dawn. The lotus blooms in clustered profusion; its buds align like constellations strewn across the heavens. Silken filaments hang with pearled drops; crimson petals unfold to reveal living green. Blazing and resplendent, it burns with a splendour like dragon-shaped candles. The beholder may gaze from dawn to dusk, yet desire remains unsated. Thus handsome youths and graceful maidens gather and wander together. They extend pale hands from silken sleeves, reaching to touch the crimson blossoms drifting midstream.