Love

The Keen Shang

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

Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part I, Book VII

Love

If you, good Sir, continue to be kind,
I’ll hold my garments up the Ts‘in to cross.
If you prefer ’bout me to change your-mind,
Is there no other to replace your loss?
Of all the foolish youths ve seen,
Most foolish you I well may ween.

If you, good Sir, continue to be kind,
I’ll hold my garments up the Wei to cross.
If you prefer ’bout me to change your mind,
Is there no other to replace your loss?
Of all the foolish youths ve seen,
Most foolish you I well may ween.

✦ ✦ ✦

A lady's declaration of her attachment to her lover, whom she addresses, however, in a defiant manner.

MLA

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Keen Shang.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/83/.

Chicago

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Keen Shang.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/83/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Shi Jing (The Book of Songs)