BOOK I. The Odes of Chow and the South

I. The Kwan-ts'eu

1 Hark! from the islet in the stream the voice Of the fish-hawks that o'er their nest rejoice! From them our thoughts to that young lady go, Modest and virtuous, loth herself to show. Where could be found, to share our prince's state, So fair, so virtuous, and so fit a mate?

2 See how the duckweed's stalks, or short or long, Sway left and right, as moves the current strong! So hard it was for him the maid to find! By day, by night, our prince with constant mind Sought for her long, but all his search was vain. Awake, asleep, he ever felt the pain Of longing thought, as when on restless bed, Tossing about, one turns his fevered head.

3 Here long, there short, afloat the duckweed lies; But caught at last, we seize the longed-for prize. The maiden modest, virtuous, coy, is found; Strike every lute, and joyous welcome sound. Now, the duckweed from the stream we bear, And cook to use with other viands rare. He has the maiden, modest, virtuous, bright; Let bells and drums proclaim our great delight.

II. The Koh t'an

1 Sweet was the scene. The spreading dolichos Extended far, down to the valley's depths, With leaves luxuriant. The orioles Fluttered around, and on the bushy trees In throngs collected,—whence their pleasant notes Resounded far in richest melody.

2 The spreading dolichos extended far, Covering the valley's sides, down to its depths, With leaves luxuriant and dense. I cut It down, then boiled, and from the fibres span Of cloth, both fine and coarse, large store, To wear, unwearied of such simple dress.

3 Now back to my old home, my parents dear To see, I go. The matron I have told, Who will announcement make. Meanwhile my clothes, My private clothes I wash, and rinse my robes. Which of them need be rinsed? and which need not? My parents dear to visit, back I go.

III. The K'euen-urh

1 Though small my basket, all my toil Filled it with mouse-ears but in part. I set it on the path, and sighed For the dear master of my heart.

2 My steeds, o'er-tasked, their progress stayed, When midway up that rocky height, Give me a cup from that gilt vase,— When shall this longing end in sight?

3 To mount that lofty ridge I drove, Until my steeds all changed their hue. A cup from that rhinoceros' horn May help my longing to subdue.

4 Striving to reach that flat-topped hill, My steeds, worn out, relaxed their strain; My driver also sank oppressed:— I'll never see my lord again!

IV. The Kew-muh

1 In the South are the trees whose branches are bent, And droop in such fashion that o'er their extent All the dolichos' creepers fast cling. See our princely lady, from whom we have got Rejoicing that's endless! May her happy lot And her honours repose ever bring!

2 In the South are the trees whose branches are bent, And droop in such fashion that o'er their extent All the dolichos' creepers are spread. See our princely lady, from whom we have got Rejoicing that's endless! Of her happy lot And her honours the greatness ne'er fade!

3 In the South are the trees whose branches are bent, And droop in such fashion that o'er their extent All the dolichos' creepers entwine. See our princely lady, from whom we have got Rejoicing that's endless. May her happy lot And her honours complete ever shine!

V. The Chung-sze

1 Ye locusts, winged tribes, Gather in concord fine; Well your descendants may In numerous bright hosts shine!

2 Ye locusts, winged tribes, Your wings in flight resound; Well your descendants may In endless lines be found!

3 Ye locusts, winged tribes, Together cluster strong; Well your descendants may In swarms for ever throng!

VI. The Taou yaou

1 Graceful and young the peach tree stands; How rich its flowers, all gleaming bright! This bride to her new home repairs; Chamber and house she'll order right.

2 Graceful and young the peach tree stands; Large crops of fruit it soon will show. This bride to her new home repairs; Chamber and house her sway shall know.

3 Graceful and young the peach tree stands, Its foliage clustering green and full. This bride to her new home repairs; Her household will attest her rule.

VII. The T'oo tseu

1 Careful he sets his rabbit-nets all round; Ching-ching his blows upon the pegs resound. Stalwart the man and bold! his bearing all Shows he might be his prince's shield and wall.

2 Careful he is his rabbit-nets to place, Where many paths of rabbits' feet bear trace. Stalwart the man and bold! 'tis plain to see He to his prince companion good would be.

3 Careful he is his rabbit-nets to spread, Where in the forest's depth the trees give shade. Stalwart the man and bold! fit his the part Guide to his prince to be, and faithful heart.

VIII. The Fow e

1 We gather and gather the plantains; Come gather them anyhow. Yes, gather and gather the plantains, And here we have got them now.

2 We gather and gather the plantains; Now off the ears we must tear. Yes, gather and gather the plantains, And now the seeds are laid bare.

3 We gather and gather the plantains, The seeds in our skirts are placed. Yes, gather and gather the plantains. Ho! safe in the girdled waist!

IX. The Han kwang

1 High and compressed, the southern trees No shelter from the sun afford. The girls free ramble by the Han, But will not hear enticing word. Like the broad Han are they, Through which one cannot dive; And like the Keang's long stream, Wherewith no raft can strive.

2 Many the faggots bound and piled; The thorns I'd hew still more to make. As brides, those girls their new homes seek; Their colts to feed I'd undertake. Like the broad Han are they, Through which one cannot dive; And like the Keang's long stream, Wherewith no raft can strive.

3 Many the faggots bound and piled; The southernwood I'd cut for more. As brides, those girls their new homes seek; Food for their colts I'd bring large store. Like the broad Han are they, Through which one cannot dive; And like the Keang's long stream, Wherewith no raft can strive.

X. The Joo fun

1 Along the raised banks of the Joo, To hew slim stem and branch I wrought, My lord away, my husband true, Like hunger-pang my troubled thought!

2 Along the raised banks of the Joo, Branch and fresh shoot confessed my art. I've seen my lord, my husband true, And still he folds me in his heart.

3 As the toiled bream makes red its tail, Toil you, Sir, for the royal House, Amidst its blazing fires, nor quail:— Your parents see you pay your vows.

XI. The Lin che che

1 As the feet of the lin, which avoid each living thing, So our prince's noble sons no harm to men will bring. They are the lin!

2 As the front of the lin, never forward thrust in wrath, So our prince's noble grandsons of love tread the path. They are the lin!

3 As the horn of the lin, flesh-tipped no wound to give, So our prince's noble kindred kindly with all live. They are the lin!

BOOK II. The Odes of Shaou and the South

I. The Ts'euh ch'aou

1 In the magpie's nest Dwells the dove at rest. This young bride goes to her future home; To meet her a hundred chariots come.

2 Of the magpie's nest Is the dove possest. This bride goes to her new home to live; And escort a hundred chariots give.

3 The nest magpie wove Now filled by the dove. This bride now takes to her home her way; And these numerous cars her state display.

II. The Ts'ae fan

1 Around the pools, the islets o'er, Fast she plucks white southernwood, To help the sacrificial store [offered for GOD's sake]; And for our prince does service good.

2 Where streams among the valleys shine, Of southernwoods she plucks the white; And brings it to the sacred shrine, To aid our prince in solemn rite.

3 In head-dress high, most reverent, she The temple seeks at early dawn. The service o'er, the head-dress see To her own chamber slow withdrawn.

III. The Ts'aou-ch'ung

1 Shrill chirp the insects in the grass; All about the hoppers spring. While I my husband do not see, Sorrow must my bosom wring. O to meet him! O to greet him! Then my heart would rest and sing.

2 Ascending high that southern hill, Turtle ferns I strove to get. While I my husband do not see, Sorrow must my heart beset. O to meet him! O to greet him! Then my heart would cease to fret.

3 Ascending high that southern hill, Spinous ferns I sought to find. While I my husband do not see, Rankles sorrow in my mind. O to meet him! O to greet him! In my heart would peace be shrined.

IV. The Ts'ae pin

1 She gathers fast the large duckweed, From valley stream that southward flows; And for the pondweed to the pools Left on the plains by floods she goes.

2 The plants, when closed her toil, she puts In baskets round and baskets square, Then home she hies to cook her spoil, In pans and tripods ready there.

3 In sacred chamber this she sets [for GOD's sake], Where the light falls down through the wall. 'Tis she, our lord's young reverent wife, Who manages this service all.

V. The Kan tang

1 O fell not that sweet pear tree! See how its branches spread, Spoil not its shade, For Shaou's chief laid Beneath it his weary head.

2 O clip not that sweet pear tree! Each twig and leaflet spare. 'Tis sacred now, Since the lord of Shaou, When weary, rested him there.

3 O touch not that sweet pear tree! Bend not a twig of it now. There long ago, As the stories show, Oft halted the chief of Shaou.

VI. The Hing loo

1 The dew thick on the wet paths lay; Thither at early dawn my way I might have ta'en; but I said, "Nay. "The dew is thick, at home I'll stay."

2 You say the sparrow has a horn.— How could it else bore through your house? You say this trial is a proof That I exchanged betrothal vows. But though you've made me here appear in court, Yet at betrothal what you did fell short.

3 You say the rat's teeth are complete.— How could it else bore through your wall? You say this trial proves my vows Of plighted troth were perfect all. But though to court you've forced me here to come, My will is firm;—I'll not with you go home.

VII. The Kaou yang

1 Arrayed in skins of lamb or sheep, With five silk braidings all of white, From court they go, to take their meal, All self-possessed, with spirits light.

2 How on their skins of lamb or sheep The five seams wrought with white silk show! With easy steps, and self-possessed, From court, to take their meal, they go.

3 Upon their skins of lamb or sheep Shines the white silk the seams to link. With easy steps and self-possessed, They go from court to eat and drink.

VIII. The Yin ke luy

1 Grand in the south the thunder rolls, Along that lofty hill. Why must he go, nor dare to stay Brief space at rest and still? Absent my noble lord I mourn, May he return! may he return!

2 Grand in the south the thunder rolls Along that mountain's side. Why must he go from this, nor dare Brief time at rest to bide? Absent my noble lord I mourn, May he return! may he return!

3 Grand in the south the thunder rolls, Around that mountain's base. Why must he go from this, nor dare Indulge himself a space? Absent my noble lord I mourn, May he return! may he return!

IX. ANXIETY OF A YOUNG LADY TO GET MARRIED.

1 Ripe, the plums fall from the bough; Only seven tenths left there now! Ye whose hearts on me are set, Now the time is fortunate!

2 Ripe, the plums fall from the bough; Only three tenths left there now! Ye who wish my love to gain, Will not now apply in vain!

3 No more plums upon the bough! All are in my baskets now! Ye who me with ardour seek, Need the word but freely speak!

X. THE THANKFUL SUBMISSION TO THEIR LOT OF THE INFERIOR MEMBERS OF A HAREM.

1 Behold those starlets small, How three or five the east illume! Swiftly we came when fell the gloom, And now at dawn the hall Of the harem we leave, nor dare gainsay Our lot which grants us here no longer stay.

2 Behold those starlets small, Orion and the Pleiads bright! Swiftly we came as failed the light, And here brought to the hall Our coverlets and sheets. Now ye return, Nor our inferior lot presume to mourn.

XI. JEALOUSY CURED; THE RESTORATION OF GOOD FEELING IN A HAREM.

1 See how the Keang's great branches flow, Here leave its stream, and there back go! When first our lady came as bride, She would not have us by her side. She would not have us by her side; But soon a better course she tried.

2 The islets part the Keang's broad course, Which soon resumes its wonted force. When first as bride our lady came, To be with us she thought it shame. To be with us she thought it shame; Ere long she knew she was to blame.

3 The T'o streams, from the river led, Flow devious, and rejoin its bed. When first we saw our lady here, She would not deign us to come near. She would not deign us to come near; But to a song she changed her sneer.

XII. A VIRTUOUS YOUNG LADY RESISTS THE ATTEMPTS OF A SEDUCER.

1 In the wild lies an antelope dead, Wrapt up in a mat of white grass. With her thoughts of the spring comes a maid, Whom a treacherous fop watches pass.

2 Scrubby oaks grow the forest around; In the wild there lies stretched a dead deer, Close and tight with the white matting bound, As a gem see the maiden appear.

3 "Hold thy hand, and beware, Sir," she cries. "Be thou civil, and haste not to wrong. Meddle not with my handkerchief's ties. Do not make my dog bark. Pass along."

XIII. THE MARRIAGE OF ONE OF THE ROYAL PRINCESSES.

1 Of flowers in clusters large and gay, How bright the sparrow-plum's display! In reverent harmony on glide The chariots of the royal bride.

2 These flowers their clusters large and gay, As of the peach or plum display. This grand-child of the Peaceful king Joy to the marquis' son shall bring.

3 As threads of silk together twine, To form the angler's faithful line; So may the union close abide Of gallant prince and royal bride!

XIV. CELEBRATING SOME PRINCE IN THE SOUTH FOR HIS BENEVOLENCE.

1 Five boars collect where grow the rushes rank and strong; He only sends one arrow all the five among. Oh! the Tsow-yu is he!

2 Five pigs collect where grows the mugwort rank and strong; He only sends one arrow all the five among. Oh! the Tsow-yu is he!