History & Politics

Comrades in War-time

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

Translated by William Jennings (1891) · From The Shi King (Jennings, 1891), Part I, Book xi

History & Politics

How say we have no clothes?
One plaid for both will do.
Let but the king, in raising men,
Our spears and pikes renew, —
We'll fight as one, we two!

How say we have no clothes?
One skirt our limbs shall hide.
Let but the king, in raising men,
Halberd and lance provide, —
We'll do it, side by side!

How say we have no clothes?
My kirtle thou shalt wear.
Let but the king, in raising men,
Armour and arms prepare, —
The toils of war we'll share.

MLA

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “Comrades in War-time.” Translated by William Jennings. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/388/.

Chicago

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “Comrades in War-time.” Translated by William Jennings. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/388/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Shi Jing (The Book of Songs)