Living
Toilsome Marches
Translated by William Jennings (1891) · From The Shi King (Jennings, 1891), Part II, Book viii
O rugged, rugged are the rocks,
With lofty crest.
Far, far o'er hill and stream we go,
And sore are pressed.
A soldier, marching Eastward, ne'er
A morn may rest.
O rugged, rugged are the rocks,
With towering top.
Far, far o'er hill and stream we go;
When, when to stop?
Troops, marching East, from out the ranks
May never drop.
Oft wading now, the feet of swine
Are white again.
The moon, too, in the Hyades,
Means heavier rain. —
Troops, marching East, aught else, than that
Will seek in vain.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “Toilsome Marches.” Translated by William Jennings. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/428/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “Toilsome Marches.” Translated by William Jennings. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/428/.
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