Wu Xiyi whose life we know little about, left behind him forty-seven short lyrics. It can be told from his works that he was good at describing landscape and expressing idle sentiments.
吴西逸 生平不详。现存小令四十七首，善于写景和抒发闲适之情。
An Incident Recorded in the Mountains to the tune of the Moon Palace
蟾宫曲·山间书事
Mooring at the door shaded by willows is the orchid-engraved boat.
系门前柳影兰舟，
The somky fog drowns the fisherman's palmleaf overcoat.
烟满吟蓑，
The fishing hook hanging idle in the water the gentle wind blows,
风漾闲钩，
The white cloud round mountain rocks slowly flows.
石上云生，
In the mountains gaunt trees grow,
山间树老，
Beyond the village bridge disappears the sunset glow.
桥外霞收。
I lower my head thinking, in hand a history book,
玩青史低头袖手，
Asked about worldly affairs, back in silence I look.
问红尘缄口回头，
The drunken moon is there, clear and high,
醉月悠悠，
The water around the rock is heard to murmur and sigh.
漱石休休，
The water can purify my feelings well,
水可陶情，
My melancholy, the flowers can dispel.
花可融愁。