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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I have seen all sorts of lush and beautiful flowers, and none is more spiritual than lotus. It is deeply rooted in the soil, and grows its stem while floating on clear water. For lesser, it can decorate the room of a prince; for more, it can grace the palace of an emperor. It stands upright with fragrant stems swaying in the wind, raising its brilliant twigs. When it is budding, it is as bright as the rising moon that chases the mulberry tree. When it is blossoming, it is as bright as the nine suns rising from the valley. The blooming flowers are arranged in twists and turns, and the buds are connected to one another like stars and constellations. The tips of the slender stamens are decorated with white beads, and the green pod is revealed among the red petals. Lotus flowers are bright and beautiful, and as brilliant as palace candles. The viewer would never get enough of its view even though he looks at it all day long, and so a handsome lad and a pretty girl came boating together. They stretched out their tender hands from their sleeves, and played with the red lotus flowers in the middle of a river.