Book VII. The Odes of Chêng: II. Chiang Chung Tzŭ

II The Chiang Chung Tzŭ; narrative. A. lady begs her lover to let her alone, and not excite the suspicions of her parents and others. 1My worthy Chung, I pray, Do not in such a way Into my hamlet bound, My willow trees to wound. For them I do not care, But you my parents scare. ’Tis their words I fear. You, Chung, have my heart; But their words severe Will cause me to smart. p. 87 2My worthy Chung, I pray, Do not in such a way Come leaping o’er my wall, And make the branches fall From my mulberry tree. That does not trouble me, But my brothers all see. ’Tis their words I fear. You, Chung, have my heart; But their words severe Will cause me to smart. 3My worthy Chung, I pray, Do not in such a way Into my garden jump, My sandal trees to thump. For them I do not care, But people grow aware What ‘tis that brings you there. ’Tis their words I fear. You, Chung, have my heart; But their words severe Will cause me to smart.