Book VIII. The Decade of Tu Jên Shih: IV. Hsi Sang

IV The Hsi Sang; allusive and narrative. The writer tells his admiration and love for some men of noble character. 1Where lies the ground both wet and low, The mulberry trees in beauty grow;— ’Tis sweet to see their clust’ring leaves. Such pleasure in my bosom heaves, p. 321 When I the princely men descry;— To tell the joy ’twere vain to try. 2Where lies the ground both wet and low, The mulberry trees in beauty grow;— ’Tis sweet to see their glossy leaves. Such pleasure in my bosom heaves. When I the princely men behold;— Then does my heart its joy unfold. 3Where lies the ground both wet and low, The mulberry trees in beauty grow;— ’Tis sweet to see their dark green leaves. Such pleasure in my bosom heaves, When lights upon those men my eye;— At their grand fame my heart throbs high. 4I cherish those men in my heart.— Might not my words my love impart? No;—if the words were once but spoken, The charm of love might then be broken. The men shall dwell within my heart, Nor thence with lapse of time depart.