Guo Feng (Airs of the States)

穹窒燻鼠，塞向墐戶。嗟我婦子，曰為改歲，入此室處。

They plug the cracks to smoke out the rats, block the north window and plaster the door. Alas, my wife and children, we say the year is about to turn, and come into this house to live.

六月食鬱及薁，七月亨葵及菽。八月剝棗，十月獲稻。為此春酒，以介眉壽。

In the sixth month they eat wild plums and wild grapes, in the seventh month they boil mallow and beans. In the eighth month they knock down jujubes, in the tenth month they harvest rice. They make this spring wine to help long life.

七月食瓜，八月斷壺，九月叔苴，採荼薪樗。食我農夫。

In the seventh month they eat melons, in the eighth month they pick gourds, in the ninth month they gather hemp seed, pick bitter greens, and chop ailanthus for firewood. They feed us farmers.

九月築場圃，十月納禾稼。黍稷重穋，禾麻菽麥。嗟我農夫，我稼既同，上入執宮功。

In the ninth month they prepare the threshing ground, in the tenth month they bring in the grain. Millet and sorghum, early and late rice, grain, hemp, beans, and wheat. Alas, we farmers, the crops are all gathered, and still we must go in to do the work of the palace.

晝爾於茅，宵爾索綯，亟其乘屋，其始播百穀。

By day we go to cut thatch, at night we twist ropes, and we hurry up onto the roof to mend the house, for soon we begin sowing the hundred grains.

二之日鑿冰沖沖，三之日納於凌陰。四之日其蚤，獻羔祭韭。九月肅霜，十月滌場。

In the twelfth month they chop ice with a thudding sound, in the first month they store it in the ice house. In the second month, at the early court, they offer lambs and sacrifice chives. In the ninth month the frost is sharp, in the tenth month they sweep the threshing ground.

朋酒斯饗，曰殺羔羊，躋彼公堂。稱彼兕觥：萬壽無疆！

With two jugs of wine they hold the feast, saying they will slay a lamb, and climb up to that hall of the lord. They raise that rhinoceros-horn cup: ten thousand years of life without end!

鴟鴞鴟鴞，既取我子，無毀我室。恩斯勤斯，鬻子之閔斯。

Owl, owl, you have already taken my children, do not destroy my nest. In such love, in such toil, the pity of raising the young.

迨天之未陰雨，徹彼桑土，綢繆牖戶。今女下民，或敢侮予？

Before the sky turns cloudy and rainy, I strip the bark from the mulberry roots, and bind the window and door. Now you people below, who still dares to insult me?

予手拮据，予所捋荼。予所蓄租，予口卒瘏，曰予未有室家。

My hands are chapped and worn, from what I have plucked, the reed flowers. The dry grass I have stored up, my mouth has finally fallen sick, and they say I still have no home.

予羽譙譙，予尾翛翛，予室翹翹。風雨所漂搖，予維音嘵嘵！

My feathers are thin and sparse, my tail is dry and ragged, my nest is perched high and perilous. In wind and rain it sways, and I can only cry out in alarm!

我徂東山，慆慆不歸。我來自東，零雨其蒙。我東曰歸，我心西悲。

I went to the Eastern Mountain, and was long away and could not return. When I came back from the east, a fine rain was falling. In the east I said I would return, and my heart was sad to the west.

制彼裳衣，勿士行枚。蜎蜎者蠋，烝在桑野。敦彼獨宿，亦在車下。

I stitch those clothes, and no longer hold the bit in my mouth to march. The crawling wild silkworms have long been in the mulberry fields. That lonely one curled up to sleep is also beneath the carriage.

我徂東山，慆慆不歸。我來自東，零雨其蒙。果臝之實，亦施於宇。

I went to the Eastern Mountain, and was long away and could not return. When I came back from the east, a fine rain was falling. The fruit of the snake gourd also creeps to the eaves.

伊威在室，蠨蛸在戶。町畽鹿場，熠耀宵行。不可畏也，伊可懷也。

Pill bugs are in the house, and spiders are at the door. The farmstead has become a deer ground, and fireflies fly in the night. It is not frightening, only something to be remembered.

我徂東山，慆慆不歸。我來自東，零雨其蒙。鸛鳴於垤，婦嘆於室。

I went to the Eastern Mountain, and was long away and could not return. When I came back from the east, a fine rain was falling. The crane calls on the mound, and the wife sighs in the house.

灑掃穹窒，我徵聿至。有敦瓜苦，烝在栗薪。自我不見，於今三年。

She sweeps and plugs the cracks, for her man who went on campaign is about to arrive. The round bitter gourds have long lain on the stack of chestnut firewood. Since I have not seen them, it has been three years until now.

我徂東山，慆慆不歸。我來自東，零雨其蒙。倉庚于飛，熠耀其羽。

I went to the Eastern Mountain, and was long away and could not return. When I came back from the east, a fine rain was falling. The oriole is flying, its wings flashing in the light.

之子于歸，皇駁其馬。親結其縭，九十其儀。其新孔嘉，其舊如之何？

This girl is being married, and her horses are yellow and piebald. Her mother ties on her kerchief, and there are ninety kinds of ritual. The new marriage is very good; what does the old one matter?

既破我斧，又缺我斨。周公東征，四國是皇。哀我人斯，亦孔之將。

My axe has been broken and my adze has been chipped. The Duke of Zhou campaigned in the east, and the states of the four quarters were set right. Pity us, we too were strong and great.

既破我斧，又缺我錡。周公東征，四國是遒。哀我人斯，亦孔之嘉。

My axe has been broken and my three-legged cooking pot has been chipped. The Duke of Zhou campaigned in the east, and the states of the four quarters were gathered. Pity us, we too were good.

既破我斧，又缺我銶。周公東征，四國是遒。哀我人斯，亦孔之休。

My axe has been broken and my square-socketed axe has been chipped. The Duke of Zhou campaigned in the east, and the states of the four quarters were gathered. Pity us, we too were fine and virtuous.

伐柯如何？匪斧不克。取妻如何？匪媒不得。

How does one cut an axe handle? It cannot be done without an axe. How does one take a wife? It cannot be done without a matchmaker.

伐柯伐柯，其則不遠。我覯之子，籩豆有踐。

Cutting an axe handle, cutting an axe handle, the pattern is not far. I have met this person, and the bamboo and wooden vessels are set out in order.

九罭之魚，鱒魴。我覯之子，袞衣繡裳。

The fish in the fine net are trout and bream. I have met this person, wearing the ceremonial robe and embroidered skirt.

鴻飛遵渚，公歸無所，於女信處。鴻飛遵六，公歸不復，於女信宿。

The wild geese fly along the islet, and the duke has no place to stay when he goes back; stay two nights with you. The wild geese fly along the land (the received text has “six” where “land” is meant), and the duke will not come again after he goes back; stay two nights with you.

是以有袞衣兮，無以我公歸兮，無使我心悲兮。

For this reason there is the ceremonial robe, so do not let my duke go back, and do not make my heart sad.

狼跋其胡，載疐其尾。公孫碩膚，赤舄几几。

The wolf treads on the dewlap under its chin and stumbles on its tail. The duke’s grandson is full-bodied and handsome, and his red shoes are at ease and steady.

狼疐其尾，載跋其胡。公孫碩膚，德音不瑕？

The wolf stumbles on its tail and treads on the dewlap under its chin. The duke’s grandson is full-bodied and handsome, and his virtuous voice has no flaw?

呦呦鹿鳴，食野之苹。我有嘉賓，鼓瑟吹笙。吹笙鼓簧，承筐是將。人之好我，示我周行。

The deer call you-you, eating the wormwood and duckweed of the field. I have honored guests, and the zither and reed pipes are played. Playing the pipes and striking the reeds, they carry baskets with gifts. People are fond of me, and show me the great Way.

呦呦鹿鳴，食野之蒿。我有嘉賓，德音孔昭。視民不恌，君子是則是效。我有旨酒，嘉賓式燕以敖。

The deer call you-you, eating the artemisia of the field. I have honored guests, and their virtuous voices are very clear. They treat the people without contempt, and the gentleman takes this as a model and imitates it. I have fine wine, and the honored guests feast and roam at ease.

呦呦鹿鳴，食野之芩。我有嘉賓，鼓瑟鼓琴。鼓瑟鼓琴，和樂且湛。我有旨酒，以燕樂嘉賓之心。

The deer call you-you, eating the reeds of the field. I have honored guests, and the zither and the lute are played. Playing the zither and the lute, harmonious, joyful, and deep. I have fine wine, to feast and delight the hearts of the honored guests.

四牡騑騑，周道倭遲。豈不懷歸？王事靡盬，我心傷悲。

The four stallions go without stopping, and the great road winds slowly. Do I not wish to go home? The king’s service has no end, and my heart is sad and grieved.

四牡騑騑，嘽嘽駱馬。豈不懷歸？王事靡盬，不遑啟處。

The four stallions go without stopping, and the white horses pant heavily. Do I not wish to go home? The king’s service has no end, and I have no leisure to rest.

翩翩者鵻，載飛載下，集於苞栩。王事靡盬，不遑將父。

The fluttering pigeon flies and then alights, settling on the clustered oak trees. The king’s service has no end, and I have no leisure to care for my father.

翩翩者鵻，載飛載止，集於苞杞。王事靡盬，不遑將母。

The fluttering pigeon flies and then stops, settling on the clustered medlar trees. The king’s service has no end, and I have no leisure to care for my mother.

駕彼四駱，載驟駸駸。豈不懷歸？是用作歌，將母來諗。

I drive those four white horses, galloping swiftly along. Do I not wish to go home? So I make this song, telling myself of caring for my mother.

皇皇者華，於彼原隰。駪駪征夫，每懷靡及。

The flowers are splendid and abundant, in those high plains and lowlands. The traveling soldiers come and go in great numbers, always with the worry of not being able to keep up.

我馬維駒，六轡如濡。載馳載驅，周爰諮諏。

My horse is a colt, and the six reins are soft as if moistened. I gallop and drive, visiting everywhere to ask and consult.

我馬維騏，六轡如絲。載馳載驅，周爰諮謀。

My horse is a black-and-blue horse, and the six reins are like silk. I gallop and drive, visiting everywhere to ask and discuss.

我馬維駱，六轡沃若。載馳載驅，周爰諮度。

My horse is a white horse, and the six reins are glossy. I gallop and drive, visiting everywhere to ask and measure.

我馬維駰，六轡既均。載馳載驅，周爰諮詢。

My horse is a pale black horse, and the six reins are already even. I gallop and drive, visiting everywhere to ask and inquire.

棠棣之華，鄂不韡韡。凡今之人，莫如兄弟。

The flowers of the cherry tree, their calyxes are brilliant and bright. Among all the people of today, none can compare with brothers.

死喪之威，兄弟孔懷。原隰裒矣，兄弟求矣。

When the threat of death and mourning comes, brothers care most. When those in the heights and lowlands gather, brothers come to seek one another.

脊令在原，兄弟急難。每有良朋，況也永嘆。

The wagtail is in the field, and brothers rescue one another in distress. Though one has good friends, they only sigh for long.

兄弟鬩於牆，外御其務。每有良朋，烝也無戎。

Brothers quarrel within the walls, but outside they defend against insult. Though one has good friends, for long they give no help.

喪亂既平，既安且寧。雖有兄弟，不如友生？

The mourning and disorder have been settled, and all is peaceful and calm. Though one has brothers, is it that they are no better than friends?

儐爾籩豆，飲酒之飫。兄弟既具，和樂且孺。

Set out your bamboo and wooden vessels, and drink wine until satisfied. The brothers have all arrived, harmonious, joyful, and close.

妻子好合，如鼓瑟琴。兄弟既翕，和樂且湛。

Wife and children are in harmony, like zither and lute played together. The brothers have all come into accord, harmonious, joyful, and deep.

宜爾室家，樂爾妻帑。是究是圖，亶其然乎？

May it be fitting for your household, and may your wife and children be glad. Having examined it so, having planned it so, is it truly so?

伐木丁丁，鳥鳴嚶嚶。出自幽谷，遷於喬木。嚶其鳴矣，求其友聲。

Trees are felled with a ding-ding sound, and birds call ying-ying. They come out of the deep valley and move to a high tree. Calling ying-ying, they seek the voice of their friends.

相彼鳥矣，猶求友聲。矧伊人矣，不求友生？神之聽之，終和且平。

Look at those birds, still seeking the voice of friends. How much more so people, will they not seek friends? When the spirits hear, in the end it is harmonious and peaceful.

伐木許許，釃酒有藇！既有肥羜，以速諸父。寧適不來，微我弗顧。

Trees are felled with a xu-xu sound, and the strained wine is clear and fine! There are already fat lambs, to invite my paternal uncles. If by chance they do not come, it is not that I have not looked after them.

於粲灑掃，陳饋八簋。既有肥牡，以速諸舅。寧適不來，微我有咎。

The courtyard is swept brilliantly clean, and eight bowls of food are set out. There are already fat rams, to invite my maternal uncles. If by chance they do not come, it is not that I am at fault.

伐木於阪，釃酒有衍。籩豆有踐，兄弟無遠。民之失德，乾餱以愆。

Trees are felled on the slope, and strained wine overflows. The bamboo and wooden vessels are set in order, and brothers should not be distant. People lose their kindness, often failing in courtesy over such small matters as dried provisions.

有酒湑我，無酒酤我。坎坎鼓我，蹲蹲舞我。迨我暇矣，飲此湑矣。

If there is wine, strain it clear for me; if there is none, buy it for me. Thump, thump they beat the drum for me, hop, hop they dance for me. When I have some leisure, we will drink this strained wine.

天保定爾，亦孔之固。俾爾單厚，何福不除？俾爾多益，以莫不庶。

Heaven keeps you secure, and very firmly. It makes you most generous; what blessing does it not give? It lets you receive much benefit, so that nothing is not abundant.

天保定爾，俾爾戩穀。罄無不宜，受天百祿。降爾遐福，維日不足。

Heaven keeps you secure, and lets you gain blessing and emolument. There is nothing unsuitable, and you receive Heaven’s hundred emoluments. It sends down long-lasting blessings to you, so that you feel the days are not enough.

天保定爾，以莫不興。如山如阜，如岡如陵，如川之方至，以莫不增。

Heaven keeps you secure, so that nothing is not flourishing. Like a mountain, like a mound, like a ridge, like a hill, like a river that is rising, so that nothing does not increase.

吉蠲為饎，是用孝享。禴祠烝嘗，於公先王。君曰：卜爾，萬壽無疆。

Auspiciously and cleanly they prepare the wine and food, to offer in filial respect. The summer Yue, the spring Ci, the winter Zheng, the autumn Chang, are offered to the former dukes and former kings. The spirit-lord says: I give to you ten thousand years of life without end.