Book VII. The Odes of Chêng: XXI. Chên Wei

XXI The Chên Wei; narrative. A festivity of Chêng, and advantage taken of it for licentious assignations. 1 Of the Chên and the Wei Onward the broad stream pours. Women and men go by, With valerian flowers. To gentleman a lady says, "Have you been there to see the plays?" "I've been," he says, and she replies, "Let's go again, and feast our eyes. The ground beyond the Wei you'll find Large, and for pleasure well designed." p. 104 So gentlemen and ladies wend Their way, in sport the day to spend, And to each other oft small peonies extend. 2 Of Chên and Wei along The lucid waters flow, And on their banks a throng Of men and women go. To gentleman a lady says, "Have you been there to see the plays?" "I've been," says he, and she replies, "Let's go again and feast our eyes. The ground beyond the Wei you'll find Large, and for pleasure well designed." So gentlemen and ladies wend Their way, in sport the day to spend, And to each other oft small peonies extend.