Living
Friends in Distress
Translated by William Jennings (1891) · From The Shi King (Jennings, 1891), Part I, Book iii
O the swallows onward flying,
Wings aslant, irregular!
O "he lady homeward hieing;
O'er the wilds escort her far.
Gaze I till I gaze in vain,
And my tears are like the rain.
O the swallows onward flying,
Soaring upward, darting low!
O the lady homeward hieing;
Far then let her escort go.
Gaze I till I gaze in vain;
Long I stand and weep amain.
O the swallows onward flying,
High and low, with twittering mouth!
O the lady homeward hieing;
Far escort her to the South.
Gaze I till I gaze in vain,
And my heart scarce bears the pain.
Lady Chung — on love relying,
And of feelings true and deep,
Ever sweet and much-complying,
Strict, yet, self-respect to keep
Thoughtful of the dead was she:
Bright example to poor me!
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “Friends in Distress.” Translated by William Jennings. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/319/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “Friends in Distress.” Translated by William Jennings. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/319/.
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