Shijing

from The Book of Odes


野有死麕野有死麕百茅包之有女懷春吉士誘之林有樸樕野有死鹿百茅純束有女如玉舒而脫脫兮無感我帨兮無使尨也吠

				猗嗟猗嗟昌兮頎而長兮抑若揚兮美目揚兮巧趨蹌兮射則臧兮猗嗟名兮美目清兮儀既成兮終日射侯不出正兮展我甥兮猗嗟孌兮清揚婉兮舞則選兮射則貫兮四矢反兮以禦亂兮

		汾沮洳彼汾沮洳言采其莫彼其之子美無度美無度殊異乎公路彼汾一方言采其桑彼其之子美如英美如英殊異乎公行彼汾一曲言采其藚彼其之子美如玉美如玉殊異乎公族

			湛露湛湛露斯匪陽不晞厭厭夜飲不醉無歸湛湛露斯在彼豐草厭厭夜飲在宗載考湛湛露斯在彼杞棘顯允君子莫不令德其實其椅其實離離豈弟君子莫不令儀

	菀柳有菀者柳不尚息焉上帝甚蹈無自暱焉俾予靖之後予極焉有菀者柳不尚愒焉上帝甚蹈無自瘵焉俾予靖之後予邁焉有鳥高飛亦傅于天彼人之心于何其臻曷予靖之居以凶矜


	In the Wild Woods A dead doe in the wild woods— cover her with rushes. A girl with spring emotions; a lucky fellow luring her into the bushes. A dead deer in the forest— bundle him in rushes. That lovely young maiden whispers and blushes: steady, steady don’t undo my wrapping, and kindly stop the dog from yapping!

	Sigh! See this handsome man and sigh! He’s tall and narrow, full of grace; with flashing eye, leads every race; with bow and arrow, such an ace! See this famous man and sigh! His clear eyes shine; what perfect manners! All day long his aim is fine, ahead of all the winners; why, I’d welcome him as kin of mine! See this awesome man and sigh! A vision of true splendor! His footwork is immaculate; with high precision, arrow foursome accurate, unanimous decision: he’ll be our best defender!

		The River Fen. By fenlands of the river Fen, there to pluck the sorrel leaf, I chanced on someone there beautiful beyond belief, beautiful beyond compare; along this road, a sight that’s rare. By the river Fen there lies a bower where mulberry leaves are gathered; I chanced on someone there delightful as a flower, delightful as a flower; when walking out, a sight that’s rare. At the great bend in the river Fen plantains grow; I gathered them and chanced on someone there lovely as a precious gem, lovely as a precious gem, among these folk, a sight that’s rare.

		Heavy Dew. Heavy, heavy dew; dried at last by morning sun. We’re celebrating through the night; which of us leaves sober? None! Heavy, heavy dew heavy on abundant grass. We’re celebrating through the night; while shades of honored ancients pass. Heavy, heavy dew on thorn and willow trees. What splendid men are gathered here! There’s none so virtuous as these! From plum and from iigiri tree: abundant fruits for sharing. These men are my true brothers, each one a man of noble bearing!

	The Ample Willow. The willow tree gives ample shelter— but better not to rest beneath. Our sovereign lord has feet that shuffle, I must not yield to his caprice. Appeasing him would not be skilful; demands on me would soon increase. The willow tree gives ample shelter - but better not to seek its cover. Our sovereign lord has feet that shuffle, I must not step too close and suffer. Appeasing him would not be helpful; his dance would have me tripping over. Ambitious birds, when soaring high, may well aspire to touch the sky. That man’s mind is hard to fathom— who knows where his thoughts may fly? Why should I abase myself and suffer misery to live his lie?