Love

The Luh E

by Shi Jing (The Book of Songs) poems c. 1000–600 BC; compilation traditionally ascribed to Confucius

Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part I, Book III

Love

When the upper robe is green,
With a yellow lining seen,
There we have a certain token
Right is wronged and order broken.
How can sorrow from my heart
In a case like this depart ?

Colour green the robe displays ;
Lower garment yellow’s blaze.
Thus it is that favourite mean
In the place of wife is seen.
Vain the conflict with my grief ;
Memory denies relief.

Yes, ’twas you the green who dyed,
You who fed the favourite’s pride.
Anger rises in my heart,
Pierces it as with a dart.
But on ancient rules lean I,
Lest to wrong my thoughts should fly.

Fine or coarse, if thin the dress,
Cold winds always cause distress.
Hard my lot, my sorrow deep,
But my thoughts in check I keep.
Anciént story brings to mind
Sufferers who were resigned.

✦ ✦ ✦

The complaint, sad but resigned, of a neglected wife.

MLA

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Luh E.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/26/.

Chicago

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Luh E.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/26/.

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