“Watching the Rain Prayer” is a work by Tang Dynasty poet Li Yue. This is a poem of pity for farmers, expressing the emotion of watching the spring rain prayer. The first two lines describe the scene of farmers praying for rain in spring drought, and the last two lines describe the scene of the rich watching singing and dancing. This poem exposes the class antagonism and the disparity between the rich and the poor at that time by describing two different lives during a long drought. Farmers are worried about their livelihoods due to drought, while the rich and powerful are singing and dancing all day long, fearing that the musical instruments will get wet when it is cloudy and rainy. Such a sharp contrast reflects the author’s indignation at the licentious life of the rich and powerful and his deep sympathy for the miserable life of farmers. The whole poem is implicit and euphemistic.
《观祈雨》是唐代诗人李约的作品。这是一首悯农诗，写观看春日祈雨的感慨，前两句写农民春旱祈雨的场面，后两句写朱门看歌舞的情景。此诗通过对久旱无雨时两种不同生活的描绘，揭露了当时的阶级对立和贫富的悬殊。农民们由于天旱而忧虑一年生计，豪门权贵却笙歌竟日，反而怕天阴下雨乐器受潮。如此鲜明的对比，反映了作者对豪门荒淫生活的无比愤慨以及对农民苦难生活的深切同情。全诗语言含蓄，风格委婉。
李约·《观祈雨》
桑条无叶土生烟，箫管迎龙水庙前。
朱门几处看歌舞，犹恐春阴咽管弦。
Li Yue
On mulberry trees not a leaf is seen.
Earth exhales vapor; such there has ne’er been.
Before the temple, a band plays with zeal.
To the Dragon King for rain, it appeal.
From behind red doors is another scene.
On dancing-singing-people there are keen.
What they’re afraid of is that of all things,
Rain dulls the tone of their orchestral strings.
