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How agile you are! |
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You met me in the neighbourhood of Nao, |
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And we pursued together tow boars of three years. |
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You bowed to me, and said that I was active. |
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How admirable your skill! |
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You met me in the way to Nao, |
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And we drove together after two males. |
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You bowed to me, and said that I was skilful. |
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How complete your art! |
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You met me on the south of Nao, |
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And we pursued together two wolves. |
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You bowed to me, and said that I was dexterous. |
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He was waiting for me between the door and the screen. |
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The strings of his ear-stoppers were of white silk, |
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And there were appended to them beautiful Hua-stones. |
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He was waiting for me in the open court. |
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The strings of his ear-stoppers were of green silk, |
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And there were appended to them beautiful Ying-stones. |
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He was waiting for me in the hall. |
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The strings of his ear-stoppers were of yellow silk, |
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And there were appended to them beautiful Ying-stones. |
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Before the east was bright, |
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I was putting on my clothes upside down; |
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I was putting them on upside down, |
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And there was one from the court calling me. |
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Before there was a streak of dawn in the east, |
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I was putting on my clothes upside down; |
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I was putting them on upside down, |
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And there was one from the court with orders for me. |
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You fence your garden with branches of willow, |
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And the reckless fellows stand in awe. |
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He, [however], cannot fix the time of night; |
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If he be not too early, he is sure to be late. |
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High and large is the south hill, |
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And a male fox is on it, solitary and suspicious. |
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The way to Lu is easy and plain, |
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And the daughter of Qi went by it to her husband's. |
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Since she went to her husband's, |
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Why do you further think of her? |
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The five kinds of dolichos shoes are [made] in pairs, |
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And the string-ends of a cap are made to match; |
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The way to Lu is easy and plain, |
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And the daughter of Qi travelled it. |
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Since she travelled it, |
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Why do you still follow her? |
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How do we proceed in planting hemp? |
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The acres must be dressed lengthwise and crosswise. |
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How do we proceed in taking a wife? |
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Announcement must first be made to our parents. |
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Since such announcement was made, |
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Why do you still indulge her desires? |
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How do we proceed in splitting firewood? |
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Without an axe it cannot be done. |
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How do we proceed in taking a wife? |
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Without a go-between it cannot be done. |
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Since this was done, |
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Why do you still allow her to go to this extreme? |
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Do not try to cultivate fields too large; -- |
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The weeds will only grow luxuriantly. |
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Do not think of winning people far away; -- |
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Your toiling heart will be grieved. |
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Do not try to cultivate fields too large; -- |
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The weeds will only grow proudly. |
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Do not think of winning people far away; -- |
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Your toiling heart will be distressed. |
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How young and tender, |
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Is the child with his two tufts of hair! |
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When you see him after not a long time, |
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Lo! he is wearing the cap! |
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Worn out is the basket at the dam, |
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And the fishes are the bream and the Guan, |
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The daughter of Qi has returned, |
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With a cloud of attendants. |
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Worn out is the basket at the dam, |
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And the fishes are the bream and the tench, |
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The daughter of Qi has returned, |
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With a shower of attendants. |
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Worn out is the basket at the dam, |
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And the fishes go in and out freely, |
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The daughter of Qi has returned, |
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With a stream of attendants. |
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She urges on her chariot rapidly, |
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With its screen of bamboos woven in squares, and its vermilion coloured leather. |
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The way from Lu is easy and plain, |
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And the daughter of Qi's started on it in the evening. |
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Her four black horses are beautiful, |
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And soft look their reins as they hang. |
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The way from Lu is easy and plain, |
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And the daughter of Qi's is delighted and complacent. |
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The waters of the Wen flow broadly on; |
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The travellers are numerous. |
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The way from Lu is easy and plain, |
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And the daughter of Qi's moves on with unconcern. |
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The waters of the Wen sweep on; |
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The travellers are in crowds. |
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The way from Lu is easy and plain, |
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And the daughter of Qi's proceeds at her ease. |
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Alas for him, so handsome and accomplished! |
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How grandly tall! |
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With what elegance in his high forehead! |
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With what motion of his beautiful eyes! |
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With what skill in the swift movements of his feet! |
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With what mastery of archery! |
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Alas for him, so famous! |
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His beautiful eyes how clear! |
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His manners how complete! |
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Shooting all day at the target, |
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And never lodging outside the bird-square! |
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Indeed our [ruler's] nephew! |
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Alas for him, so beautiful! |
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His bright eyes and high forehead how lovely! |
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His dancing so choice! |
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Sure to send his arrows right through! |
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The four all going to the same place! |
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One able to withstand rebellion! |