Chinese Literature Part 26

~In Praise of a Maiden~

O sweet maiden, so fair and retiring, At the corner I'm waiting for you; And I'm scratching my head, and inquiring What on earth it were best I should do.

Oh! the maiden, so handsome and coy, For a pledge gave a slim rosy reed.

Than the reed is she brighter, my joy; On her loveliness how my thoughts feed!

In the pastures a _t'e_ blade she sought, And she gave it, so elegant, rare.

Oh! the gra.s.s does not dwell in my thought, But the donor, more elegant, fair.

~Discontent~

As when the north winds keenly blow, And all around fast falls the snow, The source of pain and suffering great, So now it is in Wei's poor state.

Let us join hands and haste away, My friends and lovers all.

'Tis not a time will brook delay; Things for prompt action call.

As when the north winds whistle shrill, And drifting snows each hollow fill, The source of pain and suffering great, So now it is in Wei's poor state, Let us join hands, and leave for aye, My friends and lovers all, 'Tis not a time will brook delay; Things for prompt action call.

We look for red, and foxes meet; For black, and crows our vision greet.

The creatures, both of omen bad, Well suit the state of Wei so sad.

Let us join hands and mount our cars, My friends and lovers all.

No time remains for wordy jars; Things for prompt action call.

~Chw.a.n.g Keang Bemoans Her Husband's Cruelty~

Fierce is the wind and cold; And such is he.

Smiling he looks, and bold Speaks mockingly.

Scornful and lewd his words, Haughty his smile.

Bound is my heart with cords In sorrow's coil.

As cloud of dust wind-blown, Just such is he.

Ready he seems to own, And come to me.

But he comes not nor goes, Stands in his pride.

Long, long, with painful throes, Grieved I abide.

Strong blew the wind; the cloud Hastened away.

Soon dark again, the shroud Covers the day.

I wake, and sleep no more Visits my eyes.

His course I sad deplore, With heavy sighs.

Cloudy the sky, and dark; The thunders roll.

Such outward signs well mark My troubled soul.

I wake, and sleep no more Comes to give rest.

His course I sad deplore, In anguished breast.

[NOTE: Selections from Books IV., V., and VI., have been omitted.--EDITOR.]

BOOK VII

THE ODES OF CH'ING

~The People's Admiration for Duke Woo~

The black robes well your form befit; When they are worn we'll make you new.

Now for your court! oh! there we'll sit, And watch how you your duties do.

And when we to our homes repair, We'll send to you our richest fare, Such is the love to you we bear!

Those robes well with your virtue match; When they are worn we'll make you new.

Now for your court! There will we watch, Well pleased, how you your duties do.

And when we to our homes repair, We'll send to you our richest fare, Such is the love to you we bear!

Those robes your character beseem; When they are worn we'll make you new.

Now for your court! oh! there we deem It pleasure great your form to view.

And when we to our homes repair, We'll send to you our richest fare, Such is the love to you we bear!

~A Wife Consoled by Her Husband's Arrival~

Cold is the wind, fast falls the rain, The c.o.c.k aye shrilly crows.

But I have seen my lord again;-- Now must my heart repose.

Whistles the wind, patters the rain, The c.o.c.k's crow far resounds.

But I have seen my lord again, And healed are my heart's wounds.

All's dark amid the wind and rain, Ceaseless the c.o.c.k's clear voice!

But I have seen my lord again;-- Should not my heart rejoice?

~In Praise of Some Lady~

There by his side in chariot rideth she, As lovely flower of the hibiscus tree, So fair her face; and when about they wheel, Her girdle gems of _Ken_ themselves reveal.

For beauty all the House of Keang have fame; Its eldest daughter--she beseems her name.

There on the path, close by him, walketh she, Bright as the blossom of hibiscus tree, And fair her face; and when around they flit, Her girdle gems a tinkling sound emit.