E. W.

THE SHI-KING

PART I—­LESSONS FROM THE STATES

BOOK I

THE ODES OF CHOW AND THE SOUTH

Celebrating the Virtue of King Wan’s Bride

  Hark! from the islet in the stream the voice
  Of the fish-hawks that o’er their nests 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?

  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.

  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. 
  Ours 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

Celebrating the Industry of King Wan’s Queen

  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.

  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 spun
  Of cloth, both fine and coarse, large store,
  To wear, unwearied of such simple dress.

  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.

In Praise of a Bride

  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.

  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.

  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.