Book II. The Odes of Shao and the South: IV. Ts‘ai Pin

IV The Ts‘ai Pin; narrative. The diligence and reverence of the young wife of an officer, doing her part in sacrificial offerings. 1She gathers fast the large duckweed, From valley stream that southward flows; And for the pondweed to the pools Left on the plains by floods she goes. 2The plants, when closed her toil, she puts In baskets round and baskets square. Then home she hies to cook her spoil, In pans and tripods ready there. 3In sacred chamber this she sets, Where the light falls down through the wall. ’Tis she, our lord's young reverent wife, Who manages this service all.