University of Virginia Library

Those officers of the [old] capital ,
With their fox-furs so yellow ,
Their deportment unvaryingly [correct] ,
And their speech full of elegance !—
If we could go back to [the old] Zhou ,
They would be admiringly looked up by all the people .

Those officers of the [old] capital ,
With their hats of Tai leaves and small black caps ! —
Those ladies of noble Houses .
With their hair so thick and straight ! —
I do not see them [now] ,
And my heart is dissatisfied .

Those officers of the [old] capital ,
With their ear-plugs of xiu-stones !—
Those ladies of noble Houses ,
Each fit to be called a Yin or a Ji !—
I do not see them [now] ,
And my heart grieves with indissoluble sorrow .

Those officers of the [old] capital ,
With their girdles hanging elegantly down !—
Those ladies of great Houses ,
With their [side] hair curving up like a scorpion's tail !—
I do not see them [now] ,
[If I could] , I would walk along after them .

Not that they purposely let their girdles hang down ;—
The girdles were naturally long .
Not that they gave their hair that curve ;—
The hair had a natural curl .
I do not see them [now] ,
And how do I long for them !