Chinese Translations Shijing

These are modern English translations of Chinese poems of The Shijing or Shi Jing ("Book of Songs" or "Book of Odes") Shijing Ode #4: “JIU MU” ancient Chinese rhyming poem (c. 1200-600 BC) loose translation by Michael R. Burch In the South, beneath trees with drooping branches thick with vines that make them shady, we find a lovely princely lady: May she repose in happiness! In the South, beneath trees with drooping branches whose clinging vines make hot days shady, we wish warm embraces for a lovely lady: May she repose in happiness! In the South, beneath trees with drooping branches whose vines entwining make them shady, we wish true love for a lovely lady: May she repose in happiness! Shijing Ode #6: “TAO YAO” loose translation by Michael R. Burch The peach tree is elegant and tender; its flowers are fragrant, and bright. A young lady now enters her future home and will manage it well, day and night. The peach tree is elegant and tender; its fruits are abundant, and sweet. A young lady now enters her future home and will make it welcome to everyone she greets. The peach tree is elegant and tender; it shelters with bough, leaf and flower. A young lady now enters her future home and will make it her family’s bower. Shijing Ode #9: “HAN GUANG” loose translation by Michael R. Burch In the South tall trees without branches offer men no shelter. By the Han the girls loiter, but it’s vain to entice them. For the breadth of the Han cannot be swum and the length of the Jiang requires more than a raft. When cords of firewood are needed, I would cut down tall thorns to bring them more. Those girls on their way to their future homes? I would feed their horses. But the breadth of the Han cannot be swum and the length of the Jiang requires more than a raft. When cords of firewood are needed, I would cut down tall trees to bring them more. Those girls on their way to their future homes? I would feed their colts. But the breadth of the Han cannot be swum and the length of the Jiang requires more than a raft. *** The nest is the magpie's but the dove occupies it. A young lady’s soon heading to her future home; a hundred carriages will attend her. The nest is the magpie's but the dove takes it over. A young lady’s soon heading to her future home; a hundred carriages will escort her. The nest is the magpie's but the dove possesses it. A young lady’s soon heading to her future home; a hundred carriages complete her procession. *** By raised banks of the Ru, I cut down branches in the brake. Not seeing my lord caused me heartache. By raised banks of the Ru, I cut down branches by the tide. When I saw my lord at last, he did not cast me aside. *** The bream flashes its red tail; the royal court’s a blazing fire. Though it be set aflame, still his loved ones are near ...