This poem, the primer poem from The Book Of Poem, was translated by me from Classical Chinese into English. My reader, Mdm. Liu May Ling, translated my English version back into modern Chinese. It is done for fun, and, I think, it is easier to read the modern version than the ancient. Apology to the purist minded. It has its own merit.
魚鷹求愛
“ Guan, guan”, the Ospreys woo to their mate;
〝冠雉，冠雉〞，鱼鹰尋覓他们的伴侣;
That coos on the river ait.
在河畔咕咕地叫.
Fair and gracious maiden;
美麗親切的少女;
Well matched for courting gentlemen.
君子求偶喜相配,
Water cress of varying height;
高低不等的水芹;
Adrift on both left and right,
漂泊左右的兩畔,
Are sought day and night, no less,
晝夜依舊在尋覓,
In vain they court;
他們徘徊徒然覓不到;
For days and night they hold the ladies in their thought.
晝夜他們思索女士們.
Their hearts are saddened with ache,
他們悲傷和心痛,
And they toss around in bed.
失意扔倒在床上.
Water cress of varying height;
高低不等的水芹;
Pick and chose from either left or right.
左右兩畔中的挑選,
Fair and gracious lady;
美麗親切的女士,
Tuning their harp and lutes in melody.
她們不停奏著悅聽的樂曲.
Water cress of varying height;
高低不等的水芹;
Selecting from either left or right.
左右兩畔的選擇.
Fair and gracious lady;
美麗親切的女士;
Nuptial bells (and drum) ring with gaiety
響起婚禮的鐘聲 (和鼓) 環與歡樂.
wonkywizard 