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The Book of Poetry, tr. by James Legge, [1876], at sacred-texts.com


p. 48

Book IV. The Odes of Yung

I

The Po Chou; allusive. Protest of a widow against being urged to marry again.

1In 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?

2Near 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?


Next: II. Ch‘iang Yu T‘zŭ