THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

126 THE BOOK OF POETRY. [PART I.
And fair her face; and when around they flit,
Her girdle gems a tinkling sound emit.
Among the Keang she has distinguished place,
For virtuous fame renowned, and peerless grace.
The Shan yew foo-soo; allusive. A LADY MOCKING HEE LOVEE.
1 On mountain grows the mulberry tree ;
The lotus flower in meadow damp.
It is not Tsze-too that I see,
But only you, you foolish scamp !
2 Polygonums the damp meads cover;
The lofty pines on mountains view.
It is not Tsze-ch'ung comes as lover ;
You artful boy, 'tis only you !
XI.
The 1 'oTi lie; metaphorical. AN APPEAL FROM THE INFERIOR
OFFICERS OF CH'ING TO THEIB SUPERIORS ON THE SAD CONDITION
OF THE STATE.
Choo hears in this piece the words of a bad woman, soliciting the ad
vances of her lovers, and offering to respond to them ; but this by no
means appears on the surface of the verses ;—it is, in fact, imported into
them.
1 Ye withered leaves, ye withered leaves,
Blown by the wind away !
So tossed is Ch'ing. My spirit grieves
To see its sad decay. '
Ye uncles, nobles of the land,
Reform the State; we'll by you stand !
2 Ye withered leaves, ye withered leaves,
By winds so wildly tossed !
What grief my mourning heart receives
From Ch'ing thus foully lost!
Uncles, your starting note we wait;
We'll follow and reform the State.
BK VII. XIV.] THE BOOK OF POETRY. 127
XII.
The Keaou fimg ; narrative. A WOMAN scOEsriNG HER LOVEE.
1 0 dear ! that artful boy
Refuses me a word !
But, Sir, I shall enjoy
My food, though you're absurd !
2 O dear! that artful boy
My table will not share !
But, Sir, I shall enjoy
My rest, though you're not there!
XIII.
The K'een chang ; narrative. A LADY'S DECLAEATION OF HEE AT
TACHMENT TO HEE LOVEE, WHOM SHE ADDRESSES, HOWEVER, IN A
DEFIANT MANNEE.
1 If you, good Sir, continue to be kind,
I'll hold my garments up the Ts'in to cross.
If you prefer 'bout me to change your mind,
Is there no other to replace your loss ?
Of all the foolish youths I've seen,
Most foolish you I well may ween.
2 If you, good Sir, continue to be kind,
I'll hold my garments up the Wei to cross.
If you prefer 'bout me to change your mind,
Is there no other to replace your loss ?
Of all the foolish youths I've seen,
Most foolish you I well may ween.
XIV.
The Fung ; narrative. A WOMAN BEGRETS LOST OPPOETUNITIES, AND
WOULD WELCOME A FEESH SUITOE.
1 Handsome the suitor was and stout,
Who for me in the lane looked out:
I should have gone with him I doubt.