The book of odes and hymns – part 34

PAO YOU KU YE

The gourd has [still] its bitter leaves,

And the crossing at the ford is deep.

If deep, I will go through with my clothes on;

If shallow, I will do so, holding them up.

The ford is full to overflowing;

There is the note of the female pheasant.

The full ford will not wet the axle of my carriage;

It is the pheasant calling for her mate.

The wild goose, with its harmonious notes,

At sunrise, with the earliest dawn,

By the gentleman, who wishes to bring home his bride,

[Is presented] before the ice is melted.

The boatman keeps beckoning;

And others cross with him, but I do not.

Others cross with him, but I do not; 

I am waiting for my friend.

páo yǒu kǔ yè

匏有苦葉

páo yǒu kǔ yè 、jì yǒu shēn shè 。 

匏有苦葉、濟有深涉。

shēn zé lì 、qiǎn zé jiē 。

深則厲、淺則揭。

yǒu mǐ jì yíng 、yǒu yǎo zhì míng 。

有瀰濟盈、有鷕雉鳴。

jì yíng bú rú guǐ 、zhì míng qiú qǐ mǔ 。

濟盈不濡軌、雉鳴求起牡。

yōng yōng míng yàn 、xù rì shǐ dàn 。

雝雝鳴鴈、旭日始旦。

shì rú guī qī 、dài bīng wèi pàn 。

士如歸妻、迨冰未泮。

zhāo zhāo zhōu zǐ 、rén shè áng fǒu 。

招招舟子、人涉卬否。

rén shè áng fǒu 、áng xū wǒ yǒu 。

人涉卬否、卬須我友。