Love
The Peh Chow
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part I, Book IV
In the mid Ho that cypress boat floats free,
While friends a second marriage press on me.
I see my husband’s youthful forehead there,
And on it the twin tufts of falling hair.
Rather than wed again I’ll die, I swear!
O mother dear, O Heaven supreme, why should
You not allow my vow, and aid my purpose good?
Near to the bank that cypress boat floats free,
While friends a second marriage press on me.
He was my only one, with forehead fair,
And on it the twin tufts of falling hair.
Till death to shun the evil thing I swear!
O mother dear, O Heaven supreme, why should
You not allow my vow, and aid my purpose good?
Codex Note
Protest of a widow against being urged to marry again.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Peh Chow.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/44/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Peh Chow.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/44/.
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