《丽人行》是大诗人杜甫的作品，约作于753年（天宝十二年）或次年。诗的主旨是对杨贵妃兄姐妹们嚣张气焰的指斥和鞭笞。唐代自武后以来，外戚擅权已成为统治阶层中一种通常现象，他们形成了一个特殊的利益集团，引起了广大人民的强烈不满，这也是后来酿成安史之乱的主因。在白居易的《长恨歌》之前，以杨氏兄姐妹为题材的诗就已经不少，但都没有杜甫这首深刻。此诗通篇只是写“丽人”们的生活情形，却正如前人所说的，达到了“无一刺讥语，描摹处语语刺讥；无一慨叹声，点逗处声声慨叹”的艺术效果。

丽人行

三月三日天气新，长安水边多丽人。

态浓意远淑且真，肌理细腻骨肉匀。

绣罗衣裳照暮春，蹙金孔雀银麒麟。

头上何所有？ 翠微盍叶垂鬓唇。

背后何所见？ 珠压腰衱稳称身。

就中云幕椒房亲，赐名大国虢与秦。

紫驼之峰出翠釜，水精之盘行素鳞。

犀箸厌饫久未下，銮刀缕切空纷纶。

黄门飞鞚不动尘，御厨络绎送八珍。

箫鼓哀吟感鬼神，宾从杂遝实要津。

后来鞍马何逡巡，当轩下马入锦茵。

杨花雪落覆白蘋，青鸟飞去衔红巾。

炙手可热势绝伦，慎莫近前丞相嗔。

Satire on Fair Ladies

The weather’s fine in the third moon on the third day,

By riverside so many beauties in array.

Each of the ladies has a fascinating face,

Their skin is delicate, their manner full of grace.

Embroidered with peacocks and unicorns in gold,

Their dress in rich silks shines so bright when spring is old.

What do they wear on the head?

Emerald pendant leaves hang down in silver thread.

What do you see from behind?

How nice-fitting are their waistbands with peals combined.

Among them there’re the emperor’s favorite kin,

Ennobled Duchess of Guo comes with Duchess of Qin.

What do they eat?

The purple meat

Of camel’s hump cooked in green cauldron as a dish;

On crystal plate is served snow-white slices of raw fish.

See rhino chopsticks the satiated eaters stay,

And untouched morsels carved by belled knives on the tray.

When eunuchs’ horses come running, no dust is raised;

They bring still more rare dishes delicious to the taste.

Listen to soul-stirring music of flutes and drums!

On the main road an official retinue comes.

A rider ambles on saddled horse, the last of all,

He alights, treads on satin carpet, enters the hall.

The willow down like snow falls on the duckweed white;

The blue bird picking red handkerchief goes in flight.

The prime minister’s powerful without a peer.

His angry touch would burn your hand. Do not come near!

（许渊冲 译）