为了向英语世界人民介绍中国优秀的古典文化,艾黎充分发挥自己具有深厚中国文化修养的优势,将大量的中国古典诗歌翻译成英文,在英语世界传播。在学习中国文化,研究中国历史的过程中,艾黎了解了杜甫,他对中国历史上这位伟大的诗人推崇备至。杜甫的诗歌与精神也对艾黎产生了非常大的影响。

杜甫诗选——羌村三首（一）

峥嵘赤云西,日脚下平地。

柴门鸟雀噪,归客千里至。

妻孥怪我在,惊定还拭泪。

世乱遭飘荡,生还偶然遂。

邻人满墙头，感叹亦歔欷。

夜阑更秉烛,相对如梦寐。

（1）

From stately mountains in purple

A setting sun throws its colour out

On to plains below; magpies fuss

Around the wicket gate, and I after

The tired long miles am home again;

Wife and children, wide eyed with surprise,

Greet me, then quickly wipe away their tears;

War has taken me to many places,

Never was it thought I would return; so

Neighbours get over the garden wall,

Every one sobbing out welcome; then

As darkness falls and by candle light

We stare into each other’s face

As if in a dream