Look, when a painter would surpass the life,
In limning out a well-proportion'd steed,
His art with nature's workmanship at strife,
As if the dead the living should exceed;
So did this horse excel a common one
In shape, in courage, colour, pace and bone.
画师兴高现生灵,
匀称骏马手中绘,
敢比天造技艺精,
纸马能比活马贵;
青駹在此世间稀,
勇气身骨莫能逼。