You Hu

"You Fox"

Preface: "You Fox" is a poem satirizing the times. The men and women of the state of Wei missed the proper time for marriage and lost their spouses. In ancient times, when the country encountered a year of famine, wedding ceremonies were simplified and marriages were arranged in greater numbers, gathering together those who had not yet formed families, relying on this method to increase the population.

A fox lingers all alone,

On the stone bridge of the Qi River.

My heart is filled with sorrow—

That man has no lower garment.

A fox lingers all alone,

By the ferry crossing of the Qi River.

My heart is filled with sorrow—

That man has no sash.

A fox lingers all alone,

On the riverbank of the Qi River.

My heart is filled with sorrow—

That man has no clothes.

"You Fox" has three stanzas, each with four lines.