Classic Masterpieces

Author: Xu Xiaotian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features:
The Book of Songs - "Minzhi's Foolishness"
"Minzhi is foolish, holding cloth to trade silk: Not for silk did he come, but to seek me. I sent my beloved across the Qi River. To Duniou he went: Not I delayed the match, nor had you a good matchmaker. Do not be angry. Let autumn be the date. Riding on the wall, I looked toward Fuguan. Not seeing Fuguan, my tears flowed endlessly: Seeing Fuguan, I laughed and spoke. You divined and cast lots, and found no ill omen. Bring your chariot, and I will move with my dowry. The mulberry tree has not yet fallen, its leaves lush. Oh, jujube birds, do not eat too many mulberry fruits! Oh, women, do not dote too deeply on men! If men dote on women, it can be undone. But if women dote on men, it cannot be undone! The mulberry tree has fallen, its leaves yellow and fallen. Since I left you, I have suffered for three years. The Qi River flows wide, wetting the chariot's curtains. The woman has not gone astray, but the man has two minds. The man's faults are too many to list, but he is fickle and unreliable. For three years as your wife, I did not consider household chores laborious. I rose early and slept late, with no time for myself. But now that I have agreed, he has grown cruel. My brothers do not understand, laughing at me! Quietly reflecting, I grieve for myself! If we were to grow old together, old age would bring me sorrow. The Qi River has banks, and the marsh has its bounds. In our youth, we laughed and chatted happily! Our vows were solemn, never thinking of betrayal. If I forget betrayal, then let it be!
Translation:
This man is foolish, taking money from home to trade silk, but he soon lost interest in the business. As soon as he left, he fell in love with me and secretly married me. Now he is leaving, and I sent him across the Qi River to Duniou. This was not my intention to delay our marriage, but because we had no proper matchmaker to arrange it properly. I hope you will not be angry. If you really send a matchmaker, then autumn will be our wedding day. I climbed up the gap in the broken wall and looked toward the Fuguan where he used to pass. Not seeing Fuguan, my tears flowed endlessly! If I really see this man coming back from Fuguan, I will go to meet him, laughing and talking. Our marriage, if you consult the oracle and cast lots, there will be no ill omen. Bring your chariot, and I will take my dowry with you. When the mulberry tree was not yet withered, its leaves were lush. Oh, jujube birds, do not eat too many mulberry fruits, or you will get drunk! Oh, women, do not dote too deeply on men! If men dote on women, there is a way to undo it. But if women dote on men, there is no way to undo it! When the mulberry tree withered, its leaves fell; yellow and fallen to the ground. Since I left you, I have suffered for three years. The Qi River flows wide, and if our chariot crosses it, the curtains will get wet. The woman has not gone astray, but the man has two minds. The man's faults are too many to list, but he is fickle and unreliable. I married you as your wife for three years, not considering household chores laborious. I rose early and slept late, with no time for myself. But now that I have agreed, he has grown cruel. My brothers do not understand, laughing at me! Quietly reflecting, I grieve for myself! If we were to grow old together, old age would bring me sorrow. The Qi River has banks, and the marsh has its bounds. In our youth, we laughed and chatted happily! Our vows were solemn, never thinking of betrayal. If I forget betrayal, then let it be!