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My four steeds advanced without stopping; |
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The way from Zhou was winding and tedious. |
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Did I not have the wish to return? |
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But the king's business was not to be slackly performed; |
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And my heart was wounded with sadness. |
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My four steeds advanced without stopping; |
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They panted and snorted, the white steeds black-maned. |
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Did I not have the wish to return? |
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But the king's business was not to be slackly performed; |
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And I had not leisure to kneel or to sit. |
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The Filial doves keep flying about, |
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Now soaring aloft, and now descending, |
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Collecting on the bushy oaks; |
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But the king's business was not to be slackly performed; |
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And I had not leisure to nourish my father. |
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The Filial doves keep flying about, |
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Now flying, now stopping, |
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Collecting on the bushy medlars; |
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But the king's business was not to be slackly performed; |
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And I had not leisure to nourish my mother. |
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I yoked my four white steeds, black-maned; |
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They hurried away with speed. |
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[But] did I not wish to return? |
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Therefore I make this song, |
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Announcing my wish to nourish my mother. |