Classic of Poetry

Those in the leather caps,— Who are they? Since your spirits are [so] good, And your viands are [so] fine, How can they be strangers? They are your brethren, and no others. [They are like] the mistletoe and the dodder, Growing over the pine and the cypress. While they do not see you, O king, Their sorrowful hearts are all-unsettled. When they do see you, They begin to be happy and glad.

Those in the leather caps,— Who are they? Since your spirits are [so] good, And your viands are all of the season, How can they be strangers? They are your brethren, all assembled. [They are] like the mistletoe, and the dodder, Growing over the pine. While they do not see you, O king, Their hearts are full of sorrow. When they do see you, They begin to feel that things are right.

There are those in the leather-caps, Which they wear on their heads. Since your spirits are [so] good, And your viands are [so] abundant, How can they be strangers? They are your brethren, and your relatives by affinity. When there is going to be a fall of snow, There is first the descent of sleet. Death and ruin may come any day, It is not long that you will see one another. Rejoice over your spirits for the present evening; O king, enjoy the feast.