干[1]旄
孑孑[2]干旄,
在浚之郊。
素丝纰[3]之,
良马四之。
彼姝者子,
何以畀[4]之?
孑孑干,
在浚之都。
素丝组之,
良马五之。
彼姝者子,
何以予之?
孑孑干旌,
在浚之城。
素丝祝[5]之,
良马六之。
彼姝者子,
何以告之?
旗杆上牛尾饰的旗,
树立在浚邑的郊区。
白丝线把旗边缝,
四匹良马做前驱。
那们贤德的才俊,
拿什么送给他啊?
旗杆上隼鸟纹饰的旗帜,
树立在浚邑的都市。
白丝线把旗边缝,
五匹良马做前驱。
那位贤德的才俊,
拿什么赠予他啊?
旗杆上五色鸟羽饰的旗,
树立在浚邑的城区。
白丝线把旗边缝,
六匹良马做前驱。
那位贤德的才俊,
拿什么忠言以相告啊?
注释:
[1] 干:旗杆。
[2] 孑孑:特出的。
[3] 纰:把旗的边上用线缝好。
[4] 畀:给与。
[5] 祝:连结。
Betrothal Gifts[1]
The flags with ox-tail tied
Flutter in countryside.
Adorned with silk bands white,
Four steeds trot left and right.
What won’t I give and share
With such a maiden faire
The falcon-banners fly
In the outskirts nearby.
Adorned with ribbons white,
Five steeds trot left and right.
What won’t I give and send
To such a good fair friend?
The feathered streamers go down
All the way to the town.
Bearing rolls of silk white,
Six steeds trot left and right.
What and how should I say
To her as fair as May?
[1]This song described how a young lord sent betrothal gifts to his fiancee.