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。
前出塞九首（三）
磨刀鸣咽水，水赤刃伤手。
欲轻肠断声，心绪乱已久。
丈夫誓许国，愤惋复何有?
功名图麒麟，战骨当速朽。
(3)
Grinding weapons in the gurgling stream,
A sound comes through
The swishing water as it
Suddenly turns red from hands
Cut by the blade; the sharp pain
Joining up with my bitterness;
Yet we are picked men who have
Promised to serve the Emperor,
So why should one complain?
We Shall do much, gain fame, even
Though bones left on the battlefield
Quickly change to dust again.
