这首诗是虞世南酬和唐太宗《赋得临池竹》的应制诗。太宗诗曰：“贞条障曲砌，翠叶负寒霜。拂牖分龙影，临池待凤翔。“虞世南总是以学问渊博的类书编纂者、文化上自鸣得意的南方人及儒家道德家的综合面目出现的。虞世南同唐太宗唱和时，流露出一种洋洋自得的教师语气，使他难堪，这极大地考验了这位皇帝的耐性。

虞世南·《赋得临池竹应制》

葱翠梢云质，垂彩映清池。

波泛含风影，流摇防露枝。

龙鳞漾嶰谷，凤翅拂涟漪。

欲识凌冬性，唯有岁寒知。

On the Bamboo Looking Down on the Pool: To Imperial Command

Yü Shih-nan

Pa1e azure and substance of highest c1ouds,

Their bright colors fall, shine back in the clear pool.

Waves float their ref1ect ion full of wind,

And current shakes branches that fend off the dew.

Dragon scales drifting in Hsieh Valley,

Phoenix wings brushing the ripples.

But if you want to see their nature that lasts the winter,

It can only be known in the cold of the year.

（Stephen Owen 译）