History & Politics
Vile Doings at Court
Translated by William Jennings (1891) · From The Shi King (Jennings, 1891), Part I, Book iv
On the wall when the thorn-crop clambers,
No brushing wil break its hold.
And the tales of my lady's chambers
Are such as may ne'er be told.
What might be told
Would the vilest scenes unfold.
On the wall where the thorn-crop clambers,
It cannot be banished well.
On the tales of my lady's chambers
One may not minutely dwell.
On all to dwell
Were a weary tale to tell.
On the wall when the thorn-crop clambers,
Who'll bind and bear it away?
And the tales of my lady's chambers
Who'll venture to sing or say?
To sing or say
The whole, were a shameful lay.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “Vile Doings at Court.” Translated by William Jennings. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/334/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “Vile Doings at Court.” Translated by William Jennings. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/334/.
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