The closing line of Su Shi's (
苏轼) Song poem 《
饮湖上初晴后雨》 (Drinking on the Lake as Clearing Turns to Rain):
水光潋滟晴方好，
山色空蒙雨亦奇。
欲把西湖比西子，
淡妆浓抹总相宜。 — 'The shimmer of water is fine when clear; the misty hills are marvelous in rain. Compare West Lake to Lady Xi Shi — in light or heavy makeup, always becoming.' The verse fused West Lake's identity with the ancient beauty Xi Shi forever.
