University of Virginia Library

Su-su go the feathers of the wild geese ,
As they settle on the bushy oaks .
The king's affairs must not be slackly discharged ,
And [so] we cannot plant our sacrificial millet and millet ;—
What will our parents have to rely on ?
O thou distant and azure Heaven !
When shall we be in our places again ?

Su-su go the wings of the wild geese ,
As they settle on the bushy jujube trees .
The king's affairs must not be slackly discharged ,
And [so] we cannot plant our millet and sacrificial millet ;—
How shall our parents be supplied with food ?
O thou distant and azure Heaven !
When shall [our service] have an end ?

Su-su go the rows of the wild geese ,
As they rest on the bushy mulberry trees .
The king's business must not be slackly discharged ,
And [so] we cannot plant our rice and maize ;—
How shalll our parents get food ?
O thou distant and azure Heaven !
When shall we get [back] to our ordinary lot ?