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Entry tags:
Shi Jing, The Book of Odes: Lessons from the States, Odes of Qi
Some notes:
* Every week I search the poems' English results to see if I can find any scholarship or neat bits and pop the results in Resources. Here is this week's collection.
* I believe the reminder emails have stopped, so I'll seek a new service to run that. I forgot to get to it this week--will make a note.
When the second batch of these is up and running, if you would like not to be on the list and there isn't an unsubscribe option in the email itself, please just respond 'unsubscribe' or something and I'll take you off the reminder roster.
* IF YOU HAVE FRIENDS WHO MIGHT LIKE TO JOIN or have other ideas, please let me know on this post.
* If you haven't read it yet, chapter one, on tetrasyllabic shi poetry, in How to Read Chinese Poetry is hugely useful for the Book of Odes, imo.
**NEXT BATCH FEB 8.**
* Every week I search the poems' English results to see if I can find any scholarship or neat bits and pop the results in Resources. Here is this week's collection.
* I believe the reminder emails have stopped, so I'll seek a new service to run that. I forgot to get to it this week--will make a note.
When the second batch of these is up and running, if you would like not to be on the list and there isn't an unsubscribe option in the email itself, please just respond 'unsubscribe' or something and I'll take you off the reminder roster.
* IF YOU HAVE FRIENDS WHO MIGHT LIKE TO JOIN or have other ideas, please let me know on this post.
* If you haven't read it yet, chapter one, on tetrasyllabic shi poetry, in How to Read Chinese Poetry is hugely useful for the Book of Odes, imo.
**NEXT BATCH FEB 8.**
96. 雞鳴 - Ji Ming
匪雞則鳴、蒼蠅之聲。
' The cock has crowed;
The court is full. '
But it was not the cock that was crowing; -
It was the sound of the blue flies.
東方明矣、朝既昌矣。
匪東方則明、月出之光。
' The east is bright;
The court is crowded. '
But it was not the east that was bright; -
It was the light of the moon coming forth.
蟲飛薨薨、甘與子同夢。
會且歸矣、無庶予子憎。
' The insects are flying in buzzing crowds;
It would be sweet to lie by you and dream. '
But the assembled officers will be going home; -
Let them not hate both me and you. '
Re: 96. 雞鳴 - Ji Ming
Re: 96. 雞鳴 - Ji Ming
I
The Chi Ming; narrative. A model marchioness stimulating her husband to rise early, and attend to his duties at court.
1His lady to the marquis says,
"The cock has crowed; ‘tis late.
Get up, my lord, and haste to court.
’Tis full; for you they wait."
She did not hear the cock's shrill sound,
Only the blue flies buzzing round.
2Again she wakes him with the words,
"The east, my lord, is bright.
A crowded court your presence seeks;
Get up, and hail the light."
’Twas not the dawning light which shone,
But that which by the moon was thrown.
3He sleeping still, once more she says,
"The flies are buzzing loud.
To lie and dream here by your side
Were pleasant, but the crowd
Of officers will soon retire;
Draw not on you and me their ire!"
Re: 96. 雞鳴 - Ji Ming
There's controversy over which lines are attributed to the woman or man. Is it all the woman, with the poet intervening to provide context; the first two lines for stanzas 1 and 2 are the woman and the last stanza is all the woman, with the rest the man; or first two lines of stanzas 1 and 2 and last two lines of stanza 3 are the woman and the rest is the man?
There's a lot of internal rhyme in this poem too
97. 還 - Xuan
並驅從兩肩兮、揖我謂我儇兮。
How agile you are!
You met me in the neighbourhood of Nao,
And we pursued together two boars of three years.
You bowed to me, and said that I was active.
子之茂兮、遭我乎峱之道兮。
並驅從兩牡兮、揖我謂我好兮。
How admirable your skill!
You met me in the way to Nao,
And we drove together after two males.
You bowed to me, and said that I was skilful.
子之昌兮、遭我乎峱之陽兮。
並驅從兩狼兮、揖我謂我臧兮。
How complete your art!
You met me on the south of Nao,
And we pursued together two wolves.
You bowed to me, and said that I was dexterous.
Re: 97. 還 - Xuan
Re: 97. 還 - Xuan
The Hsüan; narrative. Frivolous and vainglorious compliments interchanged by the hunters of Ch‘i.
1"How agile you are!" ’Twas thus that I spoke,
What time near to Nao together we drew.
Two boars three years old from cover then broke,
And we in our chariots after them flew.
The chase being over, you said with a bow,
"If agile am I, as active art thou!"
2"How fine is your skill!" So said I to you;
’Twas when near to Nao we met on the way.
That moment two males attracted our view,
And at them we dashed, to make them our prey.
The chase being over, you said with a bow,
"If skillful am I, not less so art thou!"
3"How you know your art!" I said to you then,
When south of Mount Nao together we came.
That moment two wolves came under our ken,
And hotly we drove, well pleased with the game.
The chase being over, you said with a bow,
"If I know my art, as artful art thou!"
Re: 97. 還 - Xuan
Baike says in the past it was interpreted as criticism of someone who was obsessed with hunting to the point where they neglected politics, but modern day people think it's just a straightforward poem.
98. 著 - Zhu
He was waiting for me between the door and the screen.
The strings of his ear-stoppers were of white silk,
And there were appended to them beautiful Hua-stones.
俟我於庭乎而、充耳以青乎而、尚之以瓊瑩乎而。
He was waiting for me in the open court.
The strings of his ear-stoppers were of green silk,
And there were appended to them beautiful Ying-stones.
俟我於堂乎而、充耳以黃乎而、尚之以瓊英乎而。
He was waiting for me in the hall.
The strings of his ear-stoppers were of yellow silk,
And there were appended to them beautiful Ying-stones.
Re: 98. 著 - Zhu
Re: 98. 著 - Zhu
Re: 98. 著 - Zhu
Re: 98. 著 - Zhu
Re: 98. 著 - Zhu
The Chu; narrative. A bride describes her first meeting with her bridegroom.
1He waited ’tween the gate and screen,
With ear-plug strings of white silk seen.
The plugs themselves had hua stones’ sheen.
2He waited in the court and stood,
With ear-plug strings of silk green-hued.
The plugs themselves were yung stones good.
3There in the hall he stood and stayed.
Of yellow silk his plug strings made.
The plugs of fine ying gems displayed.
Re: 98. 著 - Zhu
99. 東方之日 - Dong Fang Zhi Ri
彼姝者子、在我室兮。
在我室兮、履我即兮。
The sun is in the east,
And that lovely girl,
Is in my chamber.
She is in my chamber;
She treads in my footsteps, and comes to me.
東方之月兮。
彼姝者子、在我闥兮。
在我闥兮、履我發兮。
The moon is in the east,
And that lovely girl,
Is inside my door.
She is inside my door;
She treads in my footsteps, and hastens away.
Re: 99. 東方之日 - Dong Fang Zhi Ri
Re: 99. 東方之日 - Dong Fang Zhi Ri
Re: 99. 東方之日 - Dong Fang Zhi Ri
The Tung Fang Chih Jih; narrative. The licentious intercourse of the people of Ch‘i.
1When the sun is in the east,
That lovely girl I see. p. 108
In my chamber she appears;
There fronting me is she.
She treads upon my footsteps,
And quickly comes to me.
2When the moon is in the east,
That lovely girl I see.
’Twixt door and screen she passes;
’Twixt screen and door is she.
She treads upon my footsteps,
And hastes away from me.
https://www.sacred-texts.com/cfu/bop/bop102.htm
100. 東方未明 - Dong Fang Wei Ming
顛之倒之、自公召之。
Before the east was bright,
I was putting on my clothes upside down;
I was putting them on upside down,
And there was one from the court calling me.
東方未晞、顛倒裳衣。
倒之顛之、自公令之。
Before there was a streak of dawn in the east,
I was putting on my clothes upside down;
I was putting them on upside down,
And there was one from the court with orders for me.
折柳樊圃、狂夫瞿瞿。
不能辰夜、不夙則莫。
You fence your garden with branches of willow,
And the reckless fellows stand in awe.
He, [however], cannot fix the time of night;
If he be not too early, he is sure to be late.
Re: 100. 東方未明 - Dong Fang Wei Ming
Re: 100. 東方未明 - Dong Fang Wei Ming
The Tung Fang Wei Ming; narrative and metaphorical. The irregularity and disorder of the court of Ch‘i; as seen especially in the time of giving the morning audience.
1I was putting my clothes on upside down,
Before the eastern sky was clear.
I was putting my clothes on upside down,
When a call to the court came here.
2I was putting my clothes on upside down,
Ere showed the east the rising flame.
I was putting my clothes on upside down,
When from the court an order came.
3On garden fence, made but of willow wands,
E’en reckless fellows look with fear.
Our prince can't tell the night from dawn;—
Too soon, or late, his calls appear!
https://www.sacred-texts.com/cfu/bop/bop103.htm
Re: 100. 東方未明 - Dong Fang Wei Ming
101. 南山 - Nan Shan
魯道有蕩、齊子由歸。
既曰歸止、曷又懷止。
High and large is the south hill,
And a male fox is on it, solitary and suspicious.
The way to Lu is easy and plain,
And the daughter of Qi went by it to her husband's.
Since she went to her husband's,
Why do you further think of her?
葛屨五兩、冠緌雙止。
魯道有蕩、齊子庸止。
既曰庸止、曷又從止。
The five kinds of dolichos shoes are [made] in pairs,
And the string-ends of a cap are made to match;
The way to Lu is easy and plain,
And the daughter of Qi travelled it.
Since she travelled it,
Why do you still follow her?
蓺麻如之何、衡從其畝。
取妻如之何、必告父母。
既曰告止、曷又鞠止。
How do we proceed in planting hemp?
The acres must be dressed lengthwise and crosswise.
How do we proceed in taking a wife?
Announcement must first be made to our parents.
Since such announcement was made,
Why do you still indulge her desires?
析薪如之何、匪斧不克。
取妻如之何、匪媒不得。
既曰得止、曷又極止。
How do we proceed in splitting firewood?
Without an axe it cannot be done.
How do we proceed in taking a wife?
Without a go-between it cannot be done.
Since this was done,
Why do you still allow her to go to this extreme?
Re: 101. 南山 - Nan Shan
Here it was: https://dankodes.dreamwidth.org/2578.html?thread=69650#cmt69650
"There is a fox, solitary and suspicious,
At that dam over the Qi."
And then a guy got naked.
Helena found that "fox = seductive beast" sometimes, so that could apply here.
So this lusty woman has been married and this guy is still fucking with her, even though he should know better.
Re: 101. 南山 - Nan Shan
Re: 101. 南山 - Nan Shan
102. 甫田 - Fu Tian
無思遠人、勞心忉忉。
Do not try to cultivate fields too large; -
The weeds will only grow luxuriantly.
Do not think of winning people far away; -
Your toiling heart will be grieved.
無田甫田、維莠桀桀。
無思遠人、勞心怛怛。
Do not try to cultivate fields too large; -
The weeds will only grow proudly.
Do not think of winning people far away; -
Your toiling heart will be distressed.
婉兮孌兮、總角丱兮。
未幾見兮、突而弁兮。
How young and tender,
Is the child with his two tufts of hair!
When you see him after not a long time,
Lo! he is wearing the cap!
Re: 102. 甫田 - Fu Tian
'Do not think of winning people far away; -
Your toiling heart will be grieved.' is this about not trying to chase the favour of unknown masses/important people, and instead cultivating relationships with those close to you?
I don't get the closer in relation to this. (Though Jewish kids don't have their first haircut for several years, so perhaps there's an analogous custom in play determining the age of the first haircut?)
Re: 102. 甫田 - Fu Tian
Re: 102. 甫田 - Fu Tian
Re: 102. 甫田 - Fu Tian
103. 盧令 - Lu Ling
Ling-ling go the hounds; -
Their master is admirable and kind.
盧重環、其人美且鬈。
There go the hounds with their double rings; -
Their master is admirable and good.
盧重鋂、其人美且偲。
There go the hounds with their triple rings; -
Their master is admirable and able.
Re: 103. 盧令 - Lu Ling
Re: 103. 盧令 - Lu Ling
Re: 103. 盧令 - Lu Ling
104. 敝笱 - Bi Gou
齊子歸止、其從如雲。
Worn out is the basket at the dam,
And the fishes are the bream and the Guan,
The daughter of Qi has returned,
With a cloud of attendants.
敝笱在梁、其魚魴鱮。
齊子歸止、其從如雨。
Worn out is the basket at the dam,
And the fishes are the bream and the tench,
The daughter of Qi has returned,
With a shower of attendants.
敝笱在梁、其魚唯唯。
齊子歸止、其從如水。
Worn out is the basket at the dam,
And the fishes go in and out freely,
The daughter of Qi has returned,
With a stream of attendants.
Re: 104. 敝笱 - Bi Gou
Time to replace the baskets--this feels like it's casting aspersions on the daughter of Qi and her stream of attendants, for wearing out resources/coming where they're not wanted?
Re: 104. 敝笱 - Bi Gou
Re: 104. 敝笱 - Bi Gou
105. 載驅 - Zai Qu
魯道有蕩、齊子發夕。
She urges on her chariot rapidly,
With its screen of bamboos woven in squares, and its vermilion coloured leather.
The way from Lu is easy and plain,
And the daughter of Qi started on it in the evening.
四驪濟濟、垂轡濔濔。
魯道有蕩、齊子豈弟。
Her four black horses are beautiful,
And soft look the reins as they hang.
The way from Lu is easy and plain,
And the daughter of Qi is delighted and complacent.
汶水湯湯、行人彭彭。
魯道有蕩、齊子翱翔。
The waters of the Wen flow broadly on;
The travellers are numerous.
The way from Lu is easy and plain,
And the daughter of Qi moves on with unconcern.
汶水滔滔、行人儦儦。
魯道有蕩、齊子遊遨。
The waters of the Wen sweep on;
The travellers are in crowds.
The way from Lu is easy and plain,
And the daughter of Qi proceeds at her ease.
Re: 105. 載驅 - Zai Qu
Idk why all these losers are out at night. Our girl seems chill, tho.
Re: 105. 載驅 - Zai Qu
Re: 105. 載驅 - Zai Qu
Re: 105. 載驅 - Zai Qu
106. 猗嗟 - Yi Jie
巧趨蹌兮、射則臧兮。
Alas for him, so handsome and accomplished!
How grandly tall!
With what elegance in his high forehead!
With what motion of his beautiful eyes!
With what skill in the swift movements of his feet!
With what mastery of archery!
猗嗟名兮、美目清兮。
儀既成兮。
終日射侯、不出正兮。
展我甥兮。
Alas for him, so famous!
His beautiful eyes how clear!
His manners how complete!
Shooting all day at the target,
And never lodging outside the bird-square!
Indeed our [ruler's] nephew!
猗嗟孌兮、清揚婉兮。
舞則選兮、射則貫兮。
四矢反兮、以禦亂兮。
Alas for him, so beautiful!
His bright eyes and high forehead how lovely!
His dancing so choice!
Sure to send his arrows right through!
The four all going to the same place!
One able to withstand rebellion!
Re: 106. 猗嗟 - Yi Jie
Re: 106. 猗嗟 - Yi Jie
Re: 106. 猗嗟 - Yi Jie
Re: 106. 猗嗟 - Yi Jie