English p.8

Mrs. West

April 24, 2002

prince was soon accused of intending to set up an independent kingdom and was executed. Li Po was arrested and

imprisoned at Chiu-chiang for being associated with the prince. A high official, reviewing sentences passed in

connection with the troubles, looked into Li Po's case, had him released, and made him a staff secretary. In the

summer of 758 the charges against Li Po were revived, and he was banished to Yeh-lang. Before he arrived, he

benefited by a general amnesty and he returned to eastern China, where he died in a relative's house.  Popular legend

says that he drowned when, sitting drunk in a boat, he tried to seize the moon's reflection in the water.  Li Po was a

romantic in his view of life and in his verse. One of the most famous wine drinkers in China's long tradition of

imbibers, Li Po frequently celebrated the joy of drinking. He also wrote of friendship, solitude, the passage of time,

and the joys of nature. Popularly referred to as a "banished Immortal," he wrote with brilliance and great freshness of

imagination.