The Well-Woven Cord

Preface: The poem "Chou Mou" satirizes the political chaos of the state of Jin. When the state is in disorder, the people's marriages cannot take place at the proper time.

Tightly bound are the bundles of firewood, the three stars of the Shen constellation hang high in the sky. What kind of night is tonight, that I can see such a beautiful person? You, oh you, what should be done with this beautiful person?

Tightly bound are the bundles of fodder, the three stars of the Shen constellation slant across the sky's edge. What kind of night is tonight, that I can meet such a fortunate encounter? You, oh you, what should be done with this fortunate encounter?

Tightly bound are the bundles of thorny brushwood, the three stars of the Shen constellation shine directly before the door. What kind of night is tonight, that I can see such a radiant person? You, oh you, what should be done with this radiant person?

"Chou Mou" consists of three stanzas, each with six lines.