Gathering the Green

"Cai Lü"

Preface: "Cai Lü" satirizes and laments neglected husbands and abandoned wives. In the era of King You of Zhou, there were many such neglected husbands and abandoned wives.

All morning I gather green rushes, yet I have not filled a handful. My hair is tangled and disheveled; let me go home and wash it.

All morning I gather indigo plants, yet I have not filled my apron. He said he would return in five days; it is now six, and still I see no sign of him.

When that man goes hunting, I will string his bow for him. When that man goes fishing, I will arrange his fishing line for him.

What does he catch? It is bream and chub. It is bream and chub; let me gaze upon them with delight.

"Cai Lü" has four stanzas, each with four lines.