Praying for Rain

观 祈 雨

[唐] 李约（许渊冲译）

No leaves sprout from mulberry trees on drought-scorched earth;

Flutes and pipes are played to evoke the Rain God’s mirth.

But the rich see dances and hear songstresses sing;

They only fear rain clouds would damage their lute string.

桑条无叶土生烟，

箫管迎龙水庙前。

朱门几处看歌舞，

犹恐春阴咽管弦。

[词汇] evoke

v. 引起，唤起（感情、记忆或形象）；召（魂），唤（神）

His case is unlikely to evoke public sympathy.

他的情况不大可能引起公众的同情。