The inscription is a poem written by the Qianlong Emperor entitled Yixi, which may be translated as 'Remembering the Past'. In the poem, the emperor laments his youth, a time when he could easily master archery as well as writing standard script in very small characters. In his old age, he could no longer handle a bow and arrow properly because his arms became weak, neither could he write neatly anymore because of his blurred vision. Most of the court officials who have served him in the past passed away, only a few who were still around could attest to what he was able to accomplish in his youth, which made his remembering the past feel like boasting.