The Phoenix Terrace at Jinling

Li Bai

On Phoenix Terrace once phoenixes came to sing;

The birds are gone but still roll on the river's waves.

The ruined palace's buried under weeds in spring;

The ancient sages in caps and gowns all lie in graves.

The three-peaked mountain is half lost in azure sky.

The two-forked stream by Egret isle is kept apart.

As floating clouds can veil the bright sun from the eye,

Imperial Court now out of view saddens my heart.