Juan Er (Cocklebur)

The preface to the poem "Juan'er" says: "Juan'er" is about the aspirations of the queen consort. The queen consort should assist the ruler, seek out worthy talents, examine officials, and understand the hardships of the ministers. She has a sincere intention to recommend worthy individuals, without any treacherous selfishness or private entreaties, and she thinks about this from morning to night, to the point of worry and toil.

Gather and gather the mouse-ear plants, yet they never fill the shallow basket. Alas, I think of the one far away, and I leave the basket by the roadside.

I climb that steep, rocky hill, my horses are weary and lame. I pour a cup from that bronze goblet, so as not to dwell in longing for long.

I climb that high mountain ridge, my horses are sick with coats of yellow. I pour a cup from that rhino-horn cup, so as not to dwell in sorrow for long.

I climb that rugged stone mountain, my horses have collapsed, my servants are also ill—this sorrow, when will it ever end?

"Juan'er" consists of four stanzas, each stanza having four lines.