Chinese and Arabian Literature - E. Wilson - The Search For Mecca

THE SHI-KING 149
Deep in my heart my sorrows lie,
And none the cause may know.
How can they know, who never try
To learn whence comes our woe?
The Mean Husband
Thin cloth of dolichos supplies the shoes,
In which some have to brave the frost and cold.
A bride, when poor, her tender hands must use,
Her dress to make, and the sharp needle hold.
This man is wealthy, yet he makes his bride
Collars and waistbands for his robes provide.
Conscious of wealth, he moves with easy mien;
Politely on the left he takes his place;
The ivory pin is at his girdle seen :
His dress and gait show gentlemanly grace.
Why do we brand him in our satire here?
—
'Tis this—his niggard soul provokes the sneer.
A Young Soldier on Service
To the top of that tree-clad hill I go,
And towards my father I gaze,
Till with my mind's eye his form I espy,
And my mind's ear hears how he says :
** Alas for my son on service abroad
"
! !
He rests not from morning till eve.
May he careful be and come back to me I
While he is away,
"
how I grieve !
To the top of that barren hill I climb.
And towards my mother I gaze,
Till with my mind's eye her form I espy,
And my mind's ear hears how she says :
" Alas for my child on service abroad
He never in sleep shuts an eye.
May he careful be, and come back to me!
In the wild may his body not lie !
—