There are so many emperors in history who were dissolute and ruined their country, and so many kings who were talented and wise. This poem is full of irony and has the effect of awakening people.
《桃花扇传奇》题词
[清]陈宇王
玉树歌[1]残迹已陈，
南朝宫殿柳条新。
福王少小风流惯，
不爱江山爱美人。
注释：
[1]玉树歌：南朝陈后主所作的《玉树后庭花》。
On Reading Peach Blossom Fan
Chen Yuwang
None sings The Jade Tree Song[1], no trace of yore in view;
In Southern palace willow trees again look new.
While young, the prince[2] in gallantry was an old hand;
He loves a beautiful woman more than his land.
注释：
[1]“The Jade Tree Song” was composed by the last emperor(553—604) of the Chen Dynasty and became the symbol of a conquered kingdom.
[2]The last prince of the Ming Dynasty was captured as the last emperor of the Chen Dynasty, one of the Southern Dynasties.
