Before the Cask of Wine

"Rise and dance in the westering sun,While the urge of youthful ears is yet unsubdued!"" 'Before the Cask of Wine' is a highly regarded lyrical poem by the Chinese poet Li Bai that speaks of the fugacity of life and beckons the reader to enjoy one's time of youth to the fullest. His love for liquor and wine was legendary, as is so eloquently suggested by this work. Li Bai (701–762), also known as Li Bo, was a Chinese poet from the 8th century. He was part of the group of Chinese scholars called the "Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup" in a poem by fellow poet Du Fu. Li Po is often regarded, alongside Du Fu, as one of the two greatest poets in China's literary history. Approximately 1,100 of his poems remain today, many of which are collected in 'The Selected Poems of Li Po'. He is said, famously but untruly, to have drowned in the Yangtze River, having fallen from his boat while drunkenly trying to embrace the reflection of the moon.