The book of odes and hymns – part 9

HAN GUANG

In the south rise the trees without branches,

Affording no shelter.

By the Han are girls rambling about,

But it is vain to solicit them.

The breath of the Han

Cannot be dived across;

The length of the Jiang

Cannot be navigated with a raft.

Many are the bundles of firewood;

I would cut down the thorns [to form more].

Those girls that are going to their future home,

I would feed their horses.

The breadth of the Han

Cannot be dived across;

The length of the Jiang,

Cannot be navigated with a raft.

Many are the bundles of firewood;

I would cut down the southern wood [to form more].

Those girls that are going to their future home,

I would feed their colts.

The breadth of the Han

Cannot be dived across;

The length of the Jiang

Cannot be navigated with a raft.

漢廣

南有喬木、不可休息。

漢有游女、不可求思。

漢之廣矣、不可泳思。

江之永矣、不可方思。

翹翹錯薪、言刈其楚。

之子于歸、言秣其馬。

漢之廣矣、不可泳思。

江之永矣、不可方思。

翹翹錯薪、言刈其蔞 。

之子于歸、言秣其駒 。

漢之廣矣、不可泳思 。

江之永矣、不可方思 。