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


p. 30

V

The Chung Fêng; metaphorical and allusive. Chuang Chiang bemoans the supercilious treatment which she received from her husband.

1Fierce is the wind and cold;
    And such is he.
Smiling he looks, and bold
    Speaks mockingly.
Scornful and lewd his words,
    Haughty his smile.
Bound is my heart with cords
    In sorrow's coil.

2As cloud of dust wind-blown,
    Just such is he.
Ready he seems to own,
    And come to me.
But he comes not nor goes,
    Stands in his pride.
Long, long, with painful throes,
    Grieved I abide.

3Strong blew the wind; the cloud
    Hastened away.
Soon dark again, the shroud
    Covers the day.
I wake, and sleep no more
    Visits my eyes.
His course I sad deplore,
    With heavy sighs. p. 31

4Cloudy the sky, and dark;
    The thunders roll.
Such outward signs will mark
    My troubled soul.
I wake, and sleep no more
    Comes to give rest.
His course I sad deplore,
    In anguished breast.


Next: VI. Chi Ku