Classic of Poetry

[There is] his short war carriage;— With the ridge-like end of its pole, elegantly bound in five places; With its slip rings and side straps; And the traces attached by gilt rings to the masked transverse; With its beautiful mat of tiger’s skin, and its long naves; With its piebalds, and horses with white left feet. When I think of my husband [thus], Looking bland and soft as a piece of jade; Living there in his plank house; It sends confusion into all the corners of my heart.

His four horses are in very fine condition, And the six reins are in the hand [of the charioteer]. Piebald, and bay with black mane, are the insides; Yellow with black mouth, and black, are the outsides; Side by side are placed the dragon-figured shields; Gilt are the buckles for the inner reins. I think of my husband [thus], Looking so mild in the cities there. What time can be fixed for his return? Oh! how I think of him!

His mail-covered team moves in great harmony; There are the trident spears with their gilt ends; And the beautiful feather-figured shield; With the tiger-skin bow-case, and the carved metal ornaments on its front. The two bows are placed in the case, Bound with string to their bamboo frames. I think of my husband, When I lie down and rise up. Tranquil and serene is the good man, With his virtuous fame spread far and near.