The Men of the Capital

Preface to "The Men of the Capital": "The Men of the Capital" is a satire by the people of Zhou on the lack of fixed standards in the attire of their time. In ancient times, the officials who governed the people never changed their clothing or adornments, and their demeanor was always composed and regular. By this means they unified the conduct of the people, so that the people's virtue became one. Now the people lament that they can no longer see such men of old.

Those men of the capital wore fox-fur robes of yellow hue. Their appearance never changed, and their words followed proper pattern. They walked toward the Zhou capital, the object of the people's gaze.

Those men of the capital wore rush-leaf hats and black cloth caps. The daughters of those noblemen had hair thick and straight as silk threads. I cannot see them now, and my heart is not joyful.

Those men of the capital wore earplugs of beautiful jade. The daughters of those noblemen were called the ladies of the Yin and Ji clans. I cannot see them now, and my heart is knotted with grief.

Those men of the capital let their sashes hang and sway. The daughters of those noblemen had curled hair like a scorpion's tail. I cannot see them now, and I wish to follow them away.

It was not that they deliberately let their sashes hang; the sashes were naturally long. It was not that they deliberately curled their hair; the hair naturally stood up. I cannot see them now, why should I long for them so?

"The Men of the Capital" has five stanzas, each of six lines.