Shi Jing VIII
Odes Of Qi
' The cock has crowed; The court is full. ' But it was not the cock that was crowing; - It was the sound of the blue flies.
' The east is bright; The court is crowded. ' But it was not the east that was bright; - It was the light of the moon coming forth.
' The insects are flying in buzzing crowds; It would be sweet to lie by you and dream. ' But the assembled officers will be going home; - Let them not hate both me and you. '
How agile you are! You met me in the neighbourhood of Nao, And we pursued together two boars of three years. You bowed to me, and said that I was active.
How admirable your skill! You met me in the way to Nao, And we drove together after two males. You bowed to me, and said that I was skilful.
How complete your art! You met me on the south of Nao, And we pursued together two wolves. You bowed to me, and said that I was dexterous.
He was waiting for me between the door and the screen. The strings of his ear-stoppers were of white silk, And there were appended to them beautiful Hua-stones.
He was waiting for me in the open court. The strings of his ear-stoppers were of green silk, And there were appended to them beautiful Ying-stones.
He was waiting for me in the hall. The strings of his ear-stoppers were of yellow silk, And there were appended to them beautiful Ying-stones.
The sun is in the east, And that lovely girl, Is in my chamber. She is in my chamber; She treads in my footsteps, and comes to me.
The moon is in the east, And that lovely girl, Is inside my door. She is inside my door; She treads in my footsteps, and hastens away.
Before the east was bright, I was putting on my clothes upside down; I was putting them on upside down, And there was one from the court calling me.
Before there was a streak of dawn in the east, I was putting on my clothes upside down; I was putting them on upside down, And there was one from the court with orders for me.
You fence your garden with branches of willow, And the reckless fellows stand in awe. He, [however], cannot fix the time of night; If he be not too early, he is sure to be late.
High and large is the south hill, And a male fox is on it, solitary and suspicious. The way to Lu is easy and plain, And the daughter of Qi went by it to her husband's. Since she went to her husband's, Why do you further think of her?
The five kinds of dolichos shoes are [made] in pairs, And the string-ends of a cap are made to match; The way to Lu is easy and plain, And the daughter of Qi travelled it. Since she travelled it, Why do you still follow her?
How do we proceed in planting hemp? The acres must be dressed lengthwise and crosswise. How do we proceed in taking a wife? Announcement must first be made to our parents. Since such announcement was made, Why do you still indulge her desires?
How do we proceed in splitting firewood? Without an axe it cannot be done. How do we proceed in taking a wife? Without a go-between it cannot be done. Since this was done, Why do you still allow her to go to this extreme?
Do not try to cultivate fields too large; - The weeds will only grow luxuriantly. Do not think of winning people far away; - Your toiling heart will be grieved.
Do not try to cultivate fields too large; - The weeds will only grow proudly. Do not think of winning people far away; - Your toiling heart will be distressed.
How young and tender, Is the child with his two tufts of hair! When you see him after not a long time, Lo! he is wearing the cap!
Ling-ling go the hounds; - Their master is admirable and kind.
There go the hounds with their double rings; - Their master is admirable and good.
There go the hounds with their triple rings; - Their master is admirable and able.
Worn out is the basket at the dam, And the fishes are the bream and the Guan, The daughter of Qi has returned, With a cloud of attendants.
Worn out is the basket at the dam, And the fishes are the bream and the tench, The daughter of Qi has returned, With a shower of attendants.
Worn out is the basket at the dam, And the fishes go in and out freely, The daughter of Qi has returned, With a stream of attendants.
She urges on her chariot rapidly, With its screen of bamboos woven in squares, and its vermilion coloured leather. The way from Lu is easy and plain, And the daughter of Qi started on it in the evening.
Her four black horses are beautiful, And soft look the reins as they hang. The way from Lu is easy and plain, And the daughter of Qi is delighted and complacent.
The waters of the Wen flow broadly on; The travellers are numerous. The way from Lu is easy and plain, And the daughter of Qi moves on with unconcern.
The waters of the Wen sweep on; The travellers are in crowds. The way from Lu is easy and plain, And the daughter of Qi proceeds at her ease.
Alas for him, so handsome and accomplished! How grandly tall! With what elegance in his high forehead! With what motion of his beautiful eyes! With what skill in the swift movements of his feet! With what mastery of archery!
Alas for him, so famous! His beautiful eyes how clear! His manners how complete! Shooting all day at the target, And never lodging outside the bird-square! Indeed our [ruler's] nephew!
Alas for him, so beautiful! His bright eyes and high forehead how lovely! His dancing so choice! Sure to send his arrows right through! The four all going to the same place! One able to withstand rebellion!
Note:
The State of Qi was a state that was awarded by Zhou Wu Wang to Shang Fu, one of his great ministers who was known as Tai Gong Wang with the capital of Ying Qiu, Shandong province in the north of the country of Lu. The verse above tells of the anxiety of Prince Qi Hou's wife to wake her husband to attend court at the palace.
Note:
This poem tells of two hunters from the country of Qi who praise each other. This incident occurred during the time of prince Qi Hou who had the title Qi Ai Gong (934 – 894 BC) who really liked hunting.
Note:
This poem tells the story of a bride about her first meeting with her groom.
Note:
This poem tells of the affairs that often occurred in the lives of officials in the state of Qi.
Note:
This poem is narrative and figurative in nature, depicting how disorderly the palace of Qi was.
Note:
This poem is a metaphorical satire of the despicable behavior of Princess Wen Jiang who had become the consort of Prince Lu Huan Gong (married in 708 BC to Prince Lu Huan Gong named Gui), in her relationship with her half-brother: --- Prince Qi Xiang Gong
Note:
This poem is figuratively satirizing the prince Qi Xiang Gong who is full of ambition but has no ability and in stanza 3 it allegorizes the growth of the son who will far exceed him: Qi Huan Gong (685 – 645 s.M.), who will become the leader of the young king (Ba).
Note:
This poem is narrative in nature. Praising the hunting dogs of the Qi state and their owners. This poem is addressed to the prince of Qi Xiang Gong who loves hunting to be clever in controlling his hunting dogs.
Note:
This poem is figuratively addressed to Princess Wen Jiang who freely went home and criticized Prince Lu Huan Gong for being weak and unable to control his wife. Likewise for his son Lu Zhuang Gong (693 – 660 BC) who was as weak as his father who could not control his mother.
Note:
This poem tells of Wen Jiang's daughter who shamelessly meets her half-brother.
Note:
This poem is narrative in nature, praising Prince Lu Zhuang Gong who was so handsome, polite and skilled at archery but was unable to control his mother's behavior.