The Love of the People for the Duke of Shaou
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.
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.
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.
The Easy Dignity of the Officers at Some Court
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.
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.
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.
Anxiety of a Young Lady to Get Married
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!
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!
No more plums upon the bough!
All are in my basket now!
Ye who me with ardor seek,
Need the word but freely speak!
BOOK III
THE ODES OF P’EI
An Officer Bewails the Neglect with which He is Treated
It floats about, that boat of cypress
wood,
Now here, now there, as by
the current borne.
Nor rest nor sleep comes in my troubled
mood;
I suffer as when painful wound
has torn
The shrinking body. Thus
I dwell forlorn,
And aimless muse, my thoughts of sorrow
full.
I might with wine refresh
my spirit worn;
I might go forth, and, sauntering try
to cool
The fever of my heart; but grief holds
sullen rule.
My mind resembles not a mirror plate,
Reflecting all the impressions
it receives.
The good I love, the bad regard with hate;
I only cherish whom my heart
believes.
Colleagues I have, but yet
my spirit grieves,
That on their honor I cannot depend.
I speak, but my complaint
no influence leaves
Upon their hearts; with mine no feelings
blend;
With me in anger they, and fierce disdain
contend.