The dust which eur u chs'carriages raise
Darkens at noon the public ways.
Of their gold the eunuchs are proud；
Their mansions rise to scrape the cloud.
I meet those who can make cocks fight,
With caps and cabs， so fair and bright.
Into rainbows they blow their breath,
Passers-by are frightened to death.
There is no connoisseur in this age.
Who can tell a thief from as age?
大车扬飞尘。亭午暗阡陌。
中贵多黄金。连云开甲宅。
路逢斗鸡者。冠盖何辉赫。
鼻息干虹霓。行人皆怵惕。
世无洗耳翁。谁知尧与跖。
The poet criticizes the rich and influential eunuchs and cock-fighters.
This poem was written by Li Bai during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, a time when the influence of eunuchs and the popularity of cockfighting were widespread in the court. Set in Chang'an, the poem criticizes the corrupt political atmosphere and the moral decay of society, particularly targeting the eunuchs and the powerbrokers who indulged in cockfighting. The poem was likely written around the eighteenth year of the Kaiyuan era (730), reflecting Li Bai's deep insight and criticism of the social issues of his time.
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