The Green Coat

"The Green Coat"

Preface: "The Green Coat" is a poem in which Wei Zhuang Jiang laments her own plight. The concubine's status rose and surpassed that of the principal wife; the lady lost her rightful position, and therefore composed this poem.

Green, oh green, the outer coat,

Green the front, yellow the lining.

The sorrow in my heart—

When will it ever cease?

Green, oh green, the outer coat,

Green the upper garment, yellow the lower skirt.

The sorrow in my heart—

When will it be forgotten?

The green threads, oh—

You dyed and wove them with your own hands.

I think of the one who is gone,

That I may not fall into error.

Fine hemp, coarse hemp,

They rustle coldly in the wind.

I think of the one who is gone,

Truly she suits my heart.

The Green Coat has four stanzas, each of four lines.