The Tsae Ch‘e

I wished to urge my steeds, and drive
To Wei, to share my brother’s grief,
Not slacking till we should arrive
And halt at Ts‘aou, and find relief.
Another went, o’er hill, through stream, cross plain ;
Here in deep sorrow I must still remain.

What I wished for you denied ;
Here in Heu I must abide.
And in your decision’s spite
I must hold my purpose right.
You, unkind, my purpose spurn ;—
Not to Wei can I return.
I must slight your views as nought,
For I cannot quench my thought.

I’ll climb the sides of that steep mound,
And pluck the lilies growing there.
Thoughts in my woman’s heart abound,
And every thought might blossom bear.
In Heu the people all my purpose blame ;
Their childish, hasty thoughts cause me no shame.

I would through the land have gone,
Passed where fields of rich wheat shone,
Prayer have made to Ts‘e’s great state,
Help have sought for Wei’s sore strait,
Nobles who o’er Wei preside,
Zeal like this you should not chide.
Hundreds are the plans you make;
Best the course I wished to take!