XI. Chiang Yu Ssŭ
The Book of Poetry, tr. by James Legge, [1876], at sacred-texts.com
XI
The Chiang Yu Ssŭ; allusive. Jealousy cured; the restoration of good feeling in a harem.
1See how the Chiang'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. p. 21
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. p. 21
2The islets part the Chiang'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;
Erelong she knew she was to blame.
3The 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.