The book of odes and hymns – part 46

QIANG YOU CI

The tribulus grows on the wall,

And cannot be brushed away.

The story of the inner chamber,

Cannot be told.

What would have to be told,

Would be the vilest of recitals.

The tribulus grow on the wall,

And cannot be removed.

The story of the inner chamber,

Cannot be particularly related.

What might be particularly related

Would be a long story.

The tribulus grow on the wall,

And cannot be bound together, [and taken away].

The story of the inner chamber

Cannot be recited,

What might be recited,

Would be the most disgraceful of things.

qiáng yǒu cí 

牆有茨  

qiáng yǒu cí 、bù kě sào yě 。

牆有茨、不可埽也。

zhōng gōu zhī yán 、bù kě dào yě 。

中冓之言、不可道也。

suǒ kě dào yě 、yán zhī chǒu yě 。

所可道也、言之醜也。

qiáng yǒu cí 、bú kě xiāng yě 。

牆有茨、不可襄也。

zhōng gōu zhī yán 、bú kě xiáng yě 。

中冓之言、不可詳也。

suǒ kě xiáng yě 、yán zhī cháng yě 。

所可詳也、言之長也。

qiáng yǒu cí 、bú kě shù yě 。

牆有茨、不可束也。

zhōng gōu zhī yán 、bú kě dú yě 。

中冓之言、不可讀也。

suǒ kě dú yě 、yán zhī rǔ yě 。

所可讀也、言之辱也。