University of Virginia Library

[There is] his short war carriage ; —
With the ridge-like end of its pole , elegantly bound in five places ;
With its slip rings and side straps ,
And the traces attached by gilt rings to the masked transverse ;
With its beautiful mat of tiger's skin , and its long naves ;
With its piebalds , and horses with white left feet .
When I think of my husband [thus] ,
Looking bland and soft as a piece of jade ;
Living there in his blank house ;
It sends confusion into all the corners of my heart .

His four horses are in very fine condition ,
And the six reins are in the hand [of the charioteer] .
Piebald , and bay with black mane , are the insides ;
Yellow with black mouth , and black , are the outsides ;
Side by side are placed the dragon-figured shields ;
Gilt are the buckles for the inner reins .
I think of my husband [thus] ,
Looking so mild in the cities there .
What time can be fixed for his return ?
Oh ! how I think of him !

His mail-covered team moves in great harmony ;
There are the trident spears with their gilt ends ;
And the beautiful feather-figured shield ;
With the tiger-skin bow-case , and the carved metal ornaments on its front .
The two bows are placed in the case ,
Bound with string to their bamboo frames .
I think of my husband ,
When I lie down and rise up .
Tranquil and serene is the good man ,
With his virtuous fame spread far and near .