How magnificent was towering Mount Tai?
Even beyond Qi-Lu, its verdant peaks remained in sight.
Wondrous nature gathered a thousand beauties here; the mountain's south and north divided dawn from dusk.
Clouds rose in layers, cleansing the ravines within the breast; homeward birds fluttered into the eyes drinking in the view.
One must ascend Mount Tai's highest summit and gaze down upon the mountains, the heart brimming with heroic resolve...
After the eunuch finished reciting the entire poem, everyone began to appraise it, savoring it carefully.
Only after a while did some members of the audience begin to speak.
"What... what a magnificent poem!"
"Yes! This poem seems to describe the splendor of the scenery, but the final line is the finishing touch that brings the dragon's eyes to life."
"The first two lines describe the vast sweep of Mount Tai's range; the third and fourth, its towering grandeur; the fifth and sixth, a searching gaze into the distance, seeing clouds rise among the peaks, as though homeward birds were entering the valleys. The seventh and eighth imagine the sights of a future ascent while expressing the poet's ambitions."
"A fine poem, a truly fine poem! I've visited Mount Tai seven or eight times, yet I never imagined such beautiful scenery."
"Now that this poem exists, Mount Tai's scenery will surely set even more hearts yearning to wander there!"
The audience buzzed with discussion, each person full of praise.
The eunuch's face was also filled with admiration as he offered his appraisal. "The opening line, 'What, then, is this revered Mount Dai like?' captures the searching wonder and awed admiration of someone first glimpsing Mount Tai, so delighted that he cannot find the words to describe it. It is extraordinarily evocative."
"Dai is another name for Mount Tai. As it