Classic Poem

Kwan-kwan go the ospreys,
On the islet in the river
The modest, retiring, virtuous, young lady: —
For our prince a good mate she

Here long, there short, is the duckweed,
To the left, to the right, borne about by the current
The modest, retiring, virtuous, young lady: —
Waking and sleeping, he sought her
He sought her and found her not,
And waking and sleeping he thought about her.
Long he thought; oh! long and anxiously;
On his side, on his back, he turned, and back again.

Here long, there short, is the duckweed;
On the left, on the right, we gather it.
The modest, retiring, virtuous, young lady: —
With lutes, small and large, let us give her friendly welcome.
Here long, there short, is the duckweed;
On the left, on the right, we cook and present it.
The modest, retiring, virtuous young lady: —
With bells and drums let us show our delight in her.