Valley Wind

The Gale

Preface: “The Gale” satirizes the loss of proper conduct between husband and wife. The people of Wei, influenced by their superiors, indulged in new loves and abandoned their original spouses. Husband and wife separated in discord, and the customs of the state were thus corrupted.

The gale blows softly,

Gloomy and rainy.

With one heart and united strength,

There should be no anger.

When gathering turnips and radishes,

Do not discard the roots.

Do not abandon good virtue,

To live and die with you.

Walking slowly, lingering,

My heart is full of resentment.

Not seeking a distant farewell, only a near one,

You reluctantly saw me to the threshold.

Who says the sow thistle is bitter?

It is as sweet as shepherd’s purse.

You rejoice in your new marriage,

Dear as brothers.

The Jing River is muddied by the Wei,

Yet when still, it is clear.

You rejoice in your new marriage,

And refuse to heed me.

Do not come to my fish weir,

Do not open my fish basket.

My own self is not tolerated,

How can I care for what comes after?

When meeting deep waters,

Take a raft or a boat;

When meeting shallow waters,

Swim or wade across.

Whether there is or is not,

I strove to obtain it.

Whenever a neighbor had mourning,

I crawled to assist.

You not only do not love me,

But treat me as an enemy.

Since you reject my kindness,

It is like goods that cannot be sold.

Once I feared poverty and hardship,

And shared your trials.

Now that life is settled,

You regard me as poison.

I have good stores laid up,

To get through the winter.

You rejoice in your new marriage,

And use me to fend off poverty.

You rage and burn with anger,

And have given me bitter toil.

You do not remember the past,

When I was the one you came to seek.

“The Gale” has six stanzas, each with eight lines.