Page:More Translations from the Chinese (Waley).djvu/20

 And brew the li of Ch'u. O Soul come back and let your yearnings cease!

Reed-organs from the lands of T'ai and Ch'in And Wei and Chēng Gladden the feasters, and old songs are sung: The "Rider's Song" that once Fu-hsi, the ancient monarch, made; And the harp-songs of Ch'u. Then after prelude from the flutes of Chao The ballad-singer's voice rises alone. O Soul come back to the hollow mulberry-tree!

Eight and eight the dancers sway, Weaving their steps to the poet's voice Who speaks his odes and rhapsodies; They tap their bells and beat their chimes Rigidly, lest harp and flute Should mar the measure. Then rival singers of the Four Domains Compete in melody, till not a tune Is left unsung that human voice could sing. O Soul come back and listen to their songs!

Then women enter whose red lips and dazzling teeth Seduce the eye; But meek and virtuous, trained in every art; Fit sharers of play-time, So soft their flesh and delicate their bones. O Soul come back and let them ease your woe! [16]