A Song of Pure Happiness I
- Poetry of Li Bai (Li Po)

Folk-song-styled-verse

This poem illustrates the supposed love story between the emperor and his consort Yang Guifei, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. According to some historical accounts, the emperor and Yang Guifei would enjoy a nighttime celebration of peony-viewing whenever the peonies were in full bloom. During one celebration, the emperor was displeased with the selection of music and called for Li Bai to write a song. Li Bai, who was supposedly drunk during this time, rapidly composed this poem that pleased the emperor. In praising Yang Guifei’s beauty, Li Bai writes that her clothes resemble billowy clouds, and her blush like the blossoming flowers. The next line describes ordinary aspects of nature — wind and dew — that suddenly attract the attention of Li Bai because of their magnificent wonder; even the simplest aspects of nature become immortalized by Yang Guifei’s presence. The final two lines hint at Yang Guifei’s mystical and goddess-like beauty; because ancient Chinese legend regarded the Jade Mountain as a home for fairies, Li Bai suggests that Yang Guifei’s beauty makes her appear to be a fairy instead of a common human.