The Cooing
关雎
The waterfowl would coo
Upon an islet in the brooks.
A lad would like to woo
A lass with pretty looks.
关关雎鸠,
在河之洲。
窈窕淑女,
君子好逑。
There grows the water grass
The folk are fond to pick;
There lives the pretty lass
For whom the lad is sick.
参差荇菜,
左右流之。
窈窕淑女,
寤寐求之。
Ignored by the pretty lass,
The lad would truly yearn.
The day is hard to pass;
All night he'll toss and turn.
求之不得,
寤寐思服。
悠哉悠哉,
辗转反侧。
There grows the water grass
The folk are fond to choose;
There lives the pretty lass
Whom the lad pursues.
参差荇菜,
左右采之。
窈窕淑女,
琴瑟友之。
There grows the water grass
The folk are fond to gain;
There lives the pretty lass
The lad would entertain.
参差荇菜,
左右芼之。
窈窕淑女,
钟鼓乐之。