Love
The P‘éaou Yéw Mei
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part I, Book II
Ripe, the plums fall from the bough ;
Only, seven tenths left there now!
Ye whose hearts on me are set,
Now the time is fortunate !
Ripe, the plums fall from the bough;
Only three tenths left there now !
Ye who wish my love to gain,
Will not now apply in vain !
No more plums upon the bough !
All are in my basket now !
Ye who me with ardour seek,
Need the word but freely speak !
Codex Note
Anxiety of a young lady to get married.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The P‘éaou Yéw Mei.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/19/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The P‘éaou Yéw Mei.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/19/.
Read this poem with the Codex →