IX. Ta Ch‘ê

The Ta Ch‘ê; narrative. The influence of a severe and virtuous magistrate in repressing licentiousness.

1He rolls along in carriage grand,
  His robes are bright with green,—
His robes of rank, as on the bank
  The tender sedge is seen.
Thinking I always am of thee,
  Thinking with fond desire;
But dreading his severity,
  I must repress the fire.

2With slow and heavy sound his car,—
  His car of state, moves on.
O’er his dress spread, the colors red
  Shine like carnation stone.
Thinking I always am of thee;
  The fondest thoughts have I.
The fear of him alone holds me,
  Or to thine arms I'd fly. p. 84

3Our fate may be, while still alive,
  Always apart to dwell;
But when we're dead, we shall be laid
  In the same earthen cell.
If haply thou should’st say that I
  Am not in this sincere,
I swear its truth by that day's eye,
  Whose piercing glance I fear.