At some point, he had the women around him lie sidelong or supine. Using their fair skin as paper, he called upon the spirit of the universe, transformed into a brush, and began to write "The Rhapsody on the Luo River Goddess", saying:
"The beauty of the maiden is like a startled swan, a graceful swimming dragon. Her splendor outshines autumn chrysanthemums, and her dignity surpasses spring pines. Vaguely, like a thin cloud hiding the moon, fluttering like snow blown by the wind. Viewed from a distance, she is as resplendent as the sun rising among morning clouds... She adorns her head with jewelry of gold and jade, her body shines with pearls. She walks in scholarly shoes, trailing light, misty skirts. Lightly, like the fragrance of orchids, she treads cautiously on mountain corners."
One or two lines on each woman.
Everyone has a share.
Who knows how long it was before the dream dissolved.
