Chewk-Chewk the turtledove 关关雎鸠

Chewk-chewk

the turtledove's whistle关关雎鸠

Midstream from the sandy isle. 在河之洲。
Lo, the maiden fair and dainty -- 窈窕淑女，
Fit for a young man fine and dandy. 君子好逑。

Short and long the duckweeds grow, 参差荇菜，
Hands go picking to and fro. 左 右流之。
Lo, the maiden dainty and fair -- 窈窕淑女，
Awake or asleep, seek her, seek her. 寤寐求之。

Seek her, seek her, still I miss her, 求之不得，
Asleep and awake, thinking of her. 寤寐思服。
Tossing and turning, no rest for me -- 悠哉悠哉，
Far, oh, so far away is she.     辗转反侧。
 

Short and long the duckweeds grow, 参差荇菜，
Hands go plucking to and fro       左右採之。

Lo, the maiden dainty and fair --窈窕淑女，

With qin and zither I'll befriend her. 琴瑟友之。

Short and long the duckweeds grow, 参差荇菜，
Hands go pulling to and fro.       左右芼之。

Lo, the maiden dainty and fair -- 窈窕淑女，
With bells and drums I'll delight her 钟鼓乐之。

Translated by Yesushizipo

      5-8-2003