Ma Zhiyuan (1250-1321) styled Dongli, was born in Dadu (today's Beijing). One of the Four Master Dramatists of the Yuan dynasty, Ma wrote altogether 15 plays, of which seven have survived. His Sanqu poems give expressions to his regrets of an unrecognized talent and the longings of an undetermined recluse. He was a success wherever he directed his efforts in terms of poetry writing whether in a sublime or beautiful style.
马致远（1250-1321）号东篱，大都（今北京）人。为“元曲四大家”之一，著杂剧十五种，今存七种。其散曲主要抒发文士怀才不遇的悲愤与消极遁世思想。艺术上纵横挥洒，无不如意，豪放清丽，兼而有之。
Untitled (1) to the tune of Sailing at Night
夜行船·无题（一）
A century is as short as a butterfly's dream would last,
百岁光阴一梦蝶，
Looking back again, I sigh for things past.
重回首往事堪嗟。
Spring comes today,
今日春来，
Tomorrow flowers decay.
明朝花谢。
Make haste to drink this bout, when night is deep and the candle burns out.
急罚盏夜阑灯灭。