The Master said, “With coarse grain to eat, water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow–I still have joy in the midst of these. Riches and honor unrighteously acquired are to me a floating cloud.”
translated by Burton Watson
Chinese Classic literature
from The Book of Songs: Who Says the River Is Wide?: No. 61
Who says the river is wide?
On a reed you can cross it!
Who says Sung is far?
On tiptoe you can see it!
Who says the river is wide?
It won’t hold a sliver of a boat!
Who says Sung is far?
You can get there before the morning’s out!
translated by Burton Watson
another poem about waiting from the Book of Songs: When the Gourd Has Dried Leaves
When the gourd has dried leaves,
you can wade the deep river.
Keep your clothes on if the water’s deep;
hitch up your dress when it’s shallow.
The river is rising,
pheasants are chirping.
The water is just half a wheel deep,
and the hen is singing to the cock.
Wild geese are trilling,
the rising sun starts dawn.
If you want to marry me,
come before the river is frozen.
The ferryman is gesturing,
other people are going, but not me,
other people are going, but not me.
I’m waiting for you.
translated by Tony Barnstone & Chou Ping
from the Book of Songs: You Took Ship
You took ship: floating, floating, noonday sun.
I’ll swear my heart dwelt upon you,
in my heart you dwell secure.
You took ship: floating, floating, away.
I’ll swear my heart dwells with you:
go freely, stay safe.
translated by J.P. Seaton
