His Lordship's Companion

Here's his lordship's life companion,
decked out with six-jewelled hairpin.
Such languid elegance,
designed to match the view
of mountain river landscape.
Her dress completes the picture.
Surely, here's a charming lady?

With gemstones glittering,
here's her robe adorned with pheasants;
here's her black hair, puffed like clouds,
disdaining fake extensions.
Here's her jade ear-pendants
and comb pin made of ivory.
Her fair complexion's much admired;
as if she'd just stepped down from heaven.
Surely, she must think herself a goddess?

The gleam of precious gems
is there for all to see.
Her dress of finest linen
boasts elaborate cords and loops.
She's popular with many,
famed for her lovely face;
doubtless she considers it her duty
to style herself the kingdom's leading beauty!

君子偕老

君子偕老
副笄六珈
委委佗佗
如山如河
象服是宜
子之不淑
云如之何

玼兮玼兮
其之翟也
鬒髮如云
不屑抵也
玉之瑱也
象之揥也
揚且之皙也
胡然而天也
胡然而帝也

瑳兮瑳兮
其之展也
蒙彼縐絺
是紲袢也
子之清揚
揚且之顏也
展如之人兮
邦之媛也
:::::


Secrets of the Qi

See those secret inlets of the Qi,
where green bamboo is flourishing.
Our beloved prince
is one with us,
close as grinding stone or scraping jade.
Generous as Lord Se,
brilliant as Lord He.
Our beloved prince,
How could we forget him?

See those secret inlets of the Qi,
where green bamboo gives cover.
Our beloved prince
with jasper ear-pugs,
cap of stars,
such dignity
such brilliance!
Our beloved prince
How could we forget him?

See those secret inlets of the Qi,
where green bamboo grows dense.
Our beloved prince!
Like the squeak of cutting tin,
like heavy slabs of jasper,
his reputation's spreading wide,
his authority has weight!
He even has his stock of jokes,
so let us not speak ill of him!

淇奧

瞻彼淇奧
綠竹猗猗
有匪君子
如切如磋
如琢如磨
瑟兮僩兮
赫兮咺兮
有匪君子
終不可諼兮

瞻彼淇奧
綠竹青青
有匪君子
充耳琇瑩
會弁如星
瑟兮僩兮
赫兮咺兮
有匪君子
終不可諼兮

瞻彼淇奧
綠竹如簀
有匪君子
如切如錫
如圭如璧
寬兮綽兮
猗重較兮
善戲謔兮
不為虐兮
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