XVIII. Hsin T‘ai

The Hsin T‘ai; allusive and narrative. Satirizing the marriage of Duke Hsüan and Hsüan Chiang.

1The New tower, fresh and bright, they show,
Where its vast volume rolls the Ho;—
    For bride a palace rare.
To Wei she came, a mate to find;
She sought a husband young and kind,
    But found this misshaped bear.

2There stands the New tower grand and high,
Where with still stream the Ho flows by;—
    For bride a palace rare.
To Wei she came, a mate to find;
She sought a husband young and kind,
    But found this misshaped bear.

3As when the net for fish they set,
And lo! a goose ensnared they get,
    They stamp with sudden ire;
So might she stamp who came to wed
The genial son, and in his stead
    Got but the humpbacked sire.