Around the marsh, in rich display,
Grow rush and lotus flowers, all gay.
But not with her do they compare,
So tall and large, majestic, fair.
Both day and night, I nothing speed;
Still clings to me the aching need.
On side, on back, on face, I lie,
But vain each change of posture.
THE ODES OF KWEI
The Wish of an Unhappy Man
Where the grounds are wet and low,
There the trees of goat-peach grow,
With their branches small and smooth,
Glossy in their tender youth.
Joy it were to me, O tree,
Consciousness to want like thee.
Where the grounds are wet and low,
There the trees of goat-peach grow.
Soft and fragrant are their flowers,
Glossy from the vernal showers.
Joy it were to me, O tree,
Ties of home to want like thee.
Where the grounds are wet and low,
There the trees of goat-peach grow,
What delicious fruits they bear,
Glossy, soft, of beauty rare!
Joy it were to me, O tree,
Household cares to want like thee.
BOOK XIV
THE ODES OF TS’AOU
Against Frivolous Pursuits
Like splendid robes appear the wings
Of the ephemeral fly;
And such the pomp of those great men,
Which soon in death shall
lie!
I grieve! Would they but come to
me!
To teach them I should try.
The wings of the ephemeral fly
Are robes of colors gay;
And such the glory of those men,
Soon crumbling to decay!
I grieve! Would they but rest with
me,
They’d learn a better
way!
The ephemeral fly bursts from its hole,
With gauzy wings like snow;
So quick the rise, so quick the fall,
Of those great men we know!
I grieve! Would they but lodge with
me,
Forth they would wiser go.
BOOK XV
THE ODES OF PIN
The Duke of Chow Tells of His Soldiers
To the hills of the east we went,
And long had we there to remain.
When the word of recall was sent,
Thick and fast came the drizzling
rain.
When told our return we should take,
Our hearts in the West were
and sore;
But there did they clothes for us make:—
They knew our hard service
was o’er.
On the mulberry grounds in our sight
The large caterpillars were
creeping;
Lonely and still we passed the night,
All under our carriages sleeping.