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

（九）

从军十年余，能无分寸功？

众人贵苟得,欲语羞雷同。

中原有斗争,况在狄与戎?

丈夫四方志,安可辞固穷?

（9）

A soldier for ten years or more

I have some credit; honour forbids

Me to be as others seeking privilege;

Now wars are raging on Central Plains

As well as frontier struggles against

The tribesmen; at a time like this

A soldier must think of other things

Than rank and a life of ease; with

Fighting in every quarter, how can

Its bitterness be escaped?