An Epithalamium

Stately her person — tall and fair,
Clad in her robes embroidered and plain:—
Child of the lord of Ts'i,
Bride of the lord of Wei,
Sister of one who is Ts'i's next heir,
Sister of wife of the lord of Hing,
Same of the lord of the T'an domain!
Fingers, as softest buds that grow!
Skin, as an unguent, firm and white!
Neck, as the tree-worm's breed!
Teeth, as the gourd's white seed!
Mantis' front, and the silk-moth brow!
Dimples playing in witching smile;
Beautiful eyes, so dark, so bright!

Stately in person — proud and free,
Halts she awhile in the lands close by,
Her four male steeds, full-fed,
Bright in their trappings red;
Screened by her plumes, then to court comes she.
Haste, ye councillors, quick depart;
Do not your chieftain's patience try!
Wide and deep is the river, the Ho,
Northwards flowing, majestic, grand.
Broad nets splash for a haul!
Sturgeons are in, big and small!
Tall, too, its reeds and sedges grow. —
Richly adorned are her maids, the Kiang!
Martial the men that round her stand!