Book II. The Odes of Shao and the South: III. Ts‘ao Ch‘ung

III The Ts‘ao Ch‘ung; narrative. The wife of some great officer bewails his absence on duty, and longs for the joy of his return. 1Shrill chirp the insects in the grass; All about the hoppers spring. While I my husband do not see, Sorrow must my bosom wring. O to meet him! O to greet him! Then my heart would rest and sing. 2Ascending high that southern hill, Turtle ferns I strove to get. While I my husband do not see, Sorrow must my heart beset. O to meet him! O to greet him! Then my heart would cease to fret. 3Ascending high that southern hill, Spinous ferns I sought to find. While I my husband do not see, Rankles sorrow in my mind. O to meet him! O to greet him! Then my heart would peace be shrined.