帕布莉卡蝃蝀[1]
蝃蝀在东，
莫之敢指。
女子有行[2]，
远父母兄弟。
朝[3]于西，
崇朝[4]其雨。
女子有行，
远兄弟父母。
乃如之人也，
怀昏姻也，
大无信也，
不知命也。
东方出彩虹，
没人敢指点它。
姑娘要出嫁，
远远离开父母兄弟家。
早上虹云在西边，
整个早上在下雨。
姑娘要出嫁，
远远离开父母兄弟家。
她是这样的人儿啊，
一心想着要出嫁。
不听媒妁之美言，
父母之命也不依。
注释：
[1] 蝃（dì dōng）：彩虹。
[2] 行：出嫁。
[3] ：彩云。
[4] 崇朝：整个早晨。
Elopement[1]
A rainbow rose high in the east;
None dared to point to it at least.
I went to wed like others
And left my parents and my brothers.
The morning clouds rose in the west;
The day with rain would then be blest.
I went to wed another
When I left my father and mother.
Did I know I’d be raped by such a man
Who would do whatever he can!
He is a faithless mate.
Is it my fault or fate?
[1]This was said to be a protest of Duchess Xuan Jiang against Duke Xuan of Wei who raped her (See Poem“Complaint of a Duchess”). A rainbow was regarded by ancient people as an emblem of improper connections between man and woman, and it was held unlucky to point to a rainbow in the east. The clouds bringing fresh showers to thirsting flowers were compared to love-making.
