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THE ODES OF KUAI

GAO QIU

In your lamb's fur you saunter about;
In your fox's fur you hold your court.
How should I not think anxiously about you?
My toiled heart is full of grief.
In your lamb's fur you wander aimlessly about;
In your fox's fur you appear in your hall.
How should I not think anxiously about you?
My heart is wounded with sorrow.
Your lamb's fur, as if covered with ointment;
Glistens when the sun comes forth.
How should I not think anxiously about you?
To the core of my heart I am grieved.

SU GUAN

If I could but see the white cap,
And the earnest mourner worn to leanness! --
My toiled heart is worn with grief!
If I could but see the white [lower] dress! --
My heart is wounded with sadness!
I should be inclined to go and live with the wearer!
If I could but see the white knee-covers! --
Sorrow is knotted in my heart!
I should almost feel as of one soul with the wearer!

XI YOU CHANG CHU

In the low wet grouds is the carambola tree;
Soft and pliant are its branches,
With the glossiness of tender beauty.
I should rejoice to be like you, [O tree], without consciousness.
In the low, damp grounds is the carambola tree;
Soft and delicate are its flowers,
With the glossiness of its tender beauty.
I should rejoice to be like you, [O tree], without a family.
In the low, damp grounds is the carambola tree;
Soft and delicate is its fruit,
With the glossiness of its tender beauty.
I should rejoice to be like you, [O tree], without a household.

FEI FENG

Not for the violence of the wind;
Not for a rushing motion of a chariot; --
But when I look to the road to Zhou,
Am I pained to the core of my heart.
Not for the whirlwind;
Not for the irregular motion of a chariot; --
But when I look to the road to Zhou,
Am I sad to the core of my heart.
Who can cook fish?
I will wash his boilers for him.
Who will loyally go to the west?
I will cheer him with good words.
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IATHPublished by The Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities, © Copyright 2003 by Anne Kinney and the University of Virginia