The Book of Songs
45-54
The Songs of Yong
Yakov Rabinovich
45
The cypress-wood boat floated in mid-river;
his long hair, those handsome locks﹐
parted in the middle, framed his face.
He swore to be my lawfully wedded,
to go through life with me, die mine.
He took an oath he'd never have another.
O mother --- O God --- what a faithless man!
The cypress-wood boat floated in mid-river;
his long hair, those handsome locks,
parted in the middle, framed his face.
He swore to be my mate,
go through life with me, die mine.
He took an oath he'd never have another.
O mother --- O God --- what a faithless man!
46
Caltrop thistle's overgrown the wall,
we welcome the cover, won't brush it away.
What goes on in the house is not to be discussed.
All I can say is it's not a pretty business.
Caltrop thistle's overgrown the wall,
we won't be stripping it off.
What happens behind these closed doors ---
not a word, I won't offer details.
All I can say is, there's plenty to be said.
Caltrop thistle's overgrown the wall,
we won't gather it back.
What happens here is not to be recited.
All I can say is, I'd be ashamed to say it.
47
A woman fit for a nobleman,
to become his bride, grow old by his side.
She wears six pins in her hair, bejeweled,
stately, at ease, august and calm
as a mountain or a river.
That brightly-broidered dress, how it suits her!
How could anyone say she wasn't
a pure and perfect lady?
Intensely hued as a jewel, her robe,
is lovely and long as a pheasant's tail,
her tresses are storm-cloud dark and dense,
she'll never need to consider a wig.
What exquisite jade earrings
that elegant ivory backscratcher,
her forehead's so fine and white.
How did she become so heavenly,
how did she become so goddess-like?
Gemmy, lustrous in silk, she'd dazzle
if she went out walking in her full array,
fine linen and crepe covering her,
expressing as much as concealing her form.
How pure and clear her brow,
what a splendid complexion!
Anyone who just dressed
as elegantly as she,
you'd take to be the country's
reigning beauty.
48
Then there's the girl who went to gather tang plants,
by the village on the banks of the Mei;
can you guess who I'm thinking of?
The Jiangs' beautiful eldest daughter.
She'll wait for me by the mulberry grove,
she'll ask me to meet her up by the castle,
she's already walked with me
far along the river Chee!
Then there's the girl who went to gather barley,
to the north of the river Mei;
can you guess who I'm thinking of?
The Yees' beautiful eldest daughter
She waits for me by the mulberry grove,
she asked me to meet her up by the castle,
she's already walked with me
far along the river Chee!
Then there's the girl who went to gather turnips,
to the east of the river Mei;
can you guess who I'm thinking of?
The Yongs' beautiful eldest daughter.
She waits for me by the mulberry grove,
she asked me to meet her up by the castle,
she's already walked with me
far along the river Chee!
49
Rapid, rapid flies the quail,
the magpie has more strength than speed,
this man of mine's no good at all.
Yet I must obey him as I would an older brother.
The magpie has more strength than speed,
rapid, rapid flies the quail,
this man of mine's no good at all.
But I must accept him as my lord.
50
He fixes upon a centered place
to construct his palace in the state of Choo,
calculates the site by the sun,
in Choo he's going to build his home,
planting trees there, hazel, chestnut,
catalpa, lacquer tree, many more,
he'll have rare woods to cut to make
zithers and harps.
He goes up to the bare hilltop
to get a broad overview of Choo,
looks over it all, the feasting hall
already built, the varied landscape,
mountains and hills.
He goes down to look at the site
for the mulberry grove, the geomancer
gives the oracle: a fortunate place,
entirely propitious and good.
A nurturing rain already falls,
this prince gives orders to his groom:
tomorrow morning, while stars yet sparkle,
harness the horses to have an early look
at that field for my mulberry trees.
Isn't he correct and fine?
a man self-possessed, silent, keeping close
his heart's deep plans, modest
despite his wealth --- three thousand noble mares.
51
A rainbow appears in the east this morning,
no one dares to point out this good omen,
the irony would be too sharp.
A young woman sets out for her marriage
leaving far behind father, mother, brothers.
The dawning light spreads westward now
The rising sun lifts the rains from the west.
A young girl sets out for her marriage
leaving far behind brothers, father, mother.
And you, this is the kind of man
you prove to be! That a man like you
should be so eager to marry me,
a man so wholly lacking in decency,
so ignorant of heaven's will!
52
Consider the rat, he has what he needs,
his fur, but here's a man without any manners,
or sense of social niceties.
Why doesn't he just die?
Consider the rat, he has what he needs,
his sharp little teeth, but here's a man
who doesn't know what is and isn't done,
when to stop. He doesn't die.
What's he waiting for?
Consider the rat, he has what he needs,
from whiskers to tail, but here's a man
without any sense
of respect or reverence.
Why doesn't he hurry up and die?
53
Holding up a halberd with a banner on its pole
a rider approaches the suburbs of Shun.
White silk tassels on his flag,
four well horsed warriors escort him.
A handsome knight!
What greeting gift shall I offer him?
Holding up a halberd with a standard on its pole,
a pure silk standard, woven well,
a rider approaches the city of Shun.
I see now that five well mounted men
escort him. A handsome knight!
What can I give him in greeting?
Holding high his halberd
with a flag a-flutter from its pole,
a rider approaches Shun's wall and gate,
fine silk binds the banner to his halberd.
I see now that six on noble horses
escort him. A splendid knight!
What will I say to him?
54
Carried at a gallop, chased on my way,
to lay my plaint before my kinsman
the prince of Wei. I've spurred my horse
so far, so far,
heading for refuge with my kinsman
here in his city, Tsao.
A nobleman canters, crosses fords,
relentless to intercept me,
worrying my heart. My husband.
Since he no longer has a good word for me
I can't turn 'round and start over with him.
I've already learned you aren't good,
my husband, I'm not mistaken in this:
you've no praise for me either.
I can't turn around, recross every river,
return to you.
I've already seen how unfair you are,
I've made no secret of what I think,
sad and distracted, I climb alone
these hills and peaks, gathering flowers.
Every girl that's loving and good
dreams of marrying someone nice,
I did too, not reckoning on
your people, the folk of Hu,
that find fault with everyone,
O what a childish mob,
arrogant and harsh.
Now I wander through the countryside
of Tsao, its rich full grainfields,
I lay my plaint before this great state
trusting --- to whom? to whom indeed?
Great and noble gentlemen,
I shouldn't be blamed in this at all,
regardless of all your opinions
none of you fathom my motives,
understand the point I've reached.