Guan Hanqing also known by his literary name Yizhai Sou, was born in Dadu (today's Beijing). Having extensive theater experience, Guan was the most famous playwright of the Yuan dynasty. Of the more than 60 plays he wrote only over 10 have survived. In his sanqu poetry, he mainly depicts love and the sorrows of parting in an earnest and straightforward manner. The colloquialism he used helps to polish a plain and natural style. Yet, compared with his plays, his sanqu poetry is of inferior quality.
关汉卿 号已斋叟，大都（今北京）人。元代最著名的杂剧作家，有丰富的舞台实践经验。所作杂剧六十多种，现存十多种。散曲多写离愁别恨与爱情生活，感情真挚而表现大胆。喜用通俗口语入曲，风格朴素自然。然而散曲成就不及杂剧。
Leisure (1) to the tune of Four Pieces of Jade
四块玉·闲适（一）
Stroll about at my will;
适意行，
Sit idle when at ease I feel;
安心坐，
Thirsty, I drink water,
渴时饮，
Hungry, I eat dinner;
饥时餐，
Drunk, I sing with alas,
醉时歌。
Tired, I sleep on the lush and green grass.
困来时就莎茵卧！
Long live the sun and moon,
日月长，
How high and broad are the heaven and earth!
天地阔，
How happy is tis life of leisure and mirth!
闲快活。