In 753
杜甫 watched the spring festival outing of
杨贵妃's sisters and her cousin, the chancellor
杨国忠, by the waters of Chang'an. The poem begins
三月三日天气新,
长安水边多丽人, 'on the third day of the third month the air is fresh; by the waters of Chang'an are many beauties', and ends by warning onlookers to keep away from a man whose power is
炙手可热, hot enough to burn the hand.