Song of the Viet Boatman
Preface
The ruler of Ngo kingdom in the state of Ch'u, Tzu-hsi, was traveling in a blue-plumed boat with a kingfisher awning. The Viet oarsman fell in love with Tzu-hsi, and sang a Viet song as he plied the oars. The ruler of Ngo was touched. Full of desire, he raised his embroidered quilt and covered the boatman. His song went like this:
Tonight, what sort of night?
I tug my boat midstream.
Today, what sort of day?
I share my boat with my lord.
Though ashamed, I am loved.
Don't think of slander or disgrace!
My heart will never fail,
For I have known my lord.
On a hill is a tree, on the tree is a bough.
My heart delights in my lord, though he will never know.
The ruler of Ngo kingdom in the state of Ch'u, Tzu-hsi, was traveling in a blue-plumed boat with a kingfisher awning. The Viet oarsman fell in love with Tzu-hsi, and sang a Viet song as he plied the oars. The ruler of Ngo was touched. Full of desire, he raised his embroidered quilt and covered the boatman. His song went like this:
Tonight, what sort of night?
I tug my boat midstream.
Today, what sort of day?
I share my boat with my lord.
Though ashamed, I am loved.
Don't think of slander or disgrace!
My heart will never fail,
For I have known my lord.
On a hill is a tree, on the tree is a bough.
My heart delights in my lord, though he will never know.
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