I will begin posting Chinese poetry translations from the the shijing.
《詩經, 诗经》shījīng – Book of Poetry
The Book of Poetry is the first of the works compiled by Confucius himself, and/or some of his early students. It consists of 305 pieces written from about the beginning of the Western Zhou in 1046 BC to the end of the Spring and Autumn Period about 476 BC. I reflects a very intellectually advanced culture, some of the authors were women.
野有死麇 – A deer is slain - This poem is likely written by a women, and may be a very early moral statement against rape.
A deer is slain, in white grass wrapped. A maid longs for love, by the hunter tempted, He hews the forest, another deer is slain. A maid like soft jade, in white grass adorned. Approach softly, the waist cloth untouched. Be gentle and not aggressive.
The next poem is also from the shijing. I have selected poems that have references to jade and jade-like stones, because that is my primary are of study in Chinese culture. All the poetry in the shijing is anonymous, but something about the author or the author may be inferred by the context of the poem.
君子偕老 – Growing old with the Duke
Lament and protest of the beautiful princess bride of his son, forced to be the mistress of her father in law the Duke Xuan of Wei. The Duke built a tower to keep his son’s bride, but then took her as his concubine. This is also told in pat in the poem 新臺 – The New Tower. This poem has a sarcastic, bitter tone. The author was likely the woman involved.
Growing old with the Duke, hair adorned with six coral hairpins. (his wig adorned with six coral hairpins.?) Stately and proper, but cool and detached, from the mountain she flows gracefully. Her robes please the Duke. King’s uncooperative mistress. What to do with the princess? Silky soft white jade in pheasant gown. Black hair like clouds, not false, her own. Jade earrings, ivory hairpin. Forehead white and open. Why not the heavens possess? Why not prestigious princess? Silky soft white jade in flowing dress. Fine silk robes, with fine hemp cord ornate. Eyes bright and clear, a face captivate Fair, though she radiate, but the King violate!
I will begin posting Chinese poetry translations from the the shijing.
ReplyDelete《詩經, 诗经》shījīng – Book of Poetry
The Book of Poetry is the first of the works compiled by Confucius himself, and/or some of his early students. It consists of 305 pieces written from about the beginning of the Western Zhou in 1046 BC to the end of the Spring and Autumn Period about 476 BC. I reflects a very intellectually advanced culture, some of the authors were women.
野有死麇 – A deer is slain - This poem is likely written by a women, and may be a very early moral statement against rape.
野有死麇 , 白茅包之。
有女怀春, 吉士诱之。
林有樕朴, 野有死鹿。
白茅纯束, 有女如玉。
舒而脱脱兮, 无感我帨兮,
无使尨也吠。
A Deer is Slain
A deer is slain,
in white grass wrapped.
A maid longs for love,
by the hunter tempted,
He hews the forest,
another deer is slain.
A maid like soft jade,
in white grass adorned.
Approach softly,
the waist cloth untouched.
Be gentle and not aggressive.
The next poem is also from the shijing. I have selected poems that have references to jade and jade-like stones, because that is my primary are of study in Chinese culture. All the poetry in the shijing is anonymous, but something about the author or the author may be inferred by the context of the poem.
ReplyDelete君子偕老 – Growing old with the Duke
Lament and protest of the beautiful princess bride of his son, forced to be the mistress of her father in law the Duke Xuan of Wei. The Duke built a tower to keep his son’s bride, but then took her as his concubine. This is also told in pat in the poem 新臺 – The New Tower. This poem has a sarcastic, bitter tone. The author was likely the woman involved.
君子偕老, 副筓六珊。
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。
鬒发如云,不屑髢也。
玉之瑱也,象之揥也。
扬且之皙也。
胡然而天也? 胡然而帝也?
瑳兮瑳兮,其之展也。
蒙彼绉絺,是绁袢也。
子之清扬,扬且之颜也。
展如之人兮,邦之媛也!
Growing old with the Duke,
hair adorned with six coral hairpins. (his wig adorned with six coral hairpins.?)
Stately and proper, but cool and detached,
from the mountain she flows gracefully.
Her robes please the Duke.
King’s uncooperative mistress.
What to do with the princess?
Silky soft white jade in pheasant gown.
Black hair like clouds, not false, her own.
Jade earrings, ivory hairpin.
Forehead white and open.
Why not the heavens possess?
Why not prestigious princess?
Silky soft white jade in flowing dress.
Fine silk robes, with fine hemp cord ornate.
Eyes bright and clear, a face captivate
Fair, though she radiate, but the King violate!