A Song for the Fleet-mount of the Imperial Stables I have heard how the Son of Heaven’s horses can run a thousand leagues, what I see pictured here today can be none other than such as these. But what is the temper of this one, aggressive and outstanding?— when its mettlesome[1] tail whishes, the north wind rises. Its coat is pale green, its two ears are yellow, its eyes have purple flames, and its pair of pupils are square. A dragon nature, tough and bold, it is sure to be transformed, standing high apart, its heavenly bones mysteriously extend. Long ago the Master of the Stables, Zhang Jingshun, supervised pasture and had the colts broken, checking for the pure and superior. He then ordered the Chief Slave to keep them for the Imperial Stables, giving special care for the offspring of great steeds, touched by their divine superiority. Back then there were four hundred thousand horses, but Zhang sighed at how their talents were in every way inferior. So he had the portrait of this one alone made to transmit to the world, I see it hung to the right of my seat, and the longer I look, the fresher it grows. As the years grew many, the creature passed on, with this mere outline left, alas for its sturdy pace, it has no means to gallop. These days there are of course Yaoniao’s and Hualiu’s, but wanting a Wang Liang and Bole in our time, they simply die and are gone. 單詞釋義 [1] mettlesome [?metls?m] adj. 精神抖擻的; 精神抖擻; 勇敢的; 精神飽滿的;