Guan ju

"Guan, guan," trill the ospreys,
          upon the island in the creek.
Modest is the gentle beauty,
          fine for the gentleman to seek.
Uneven are the floating water plants,
          they flow by left and right.
Modest is the gentle beauty,
          he seeks her day and night.
He seeks but cannot get her,
          he thinks of her day and night.
Sad and anxious thoughts,
          twisting and turning in his plight.
Uneven are the floating water plants,
          they can be picked left and right.
Modest is the gentle beauty,
          qin and se zithers⁷ warm her heart.
Uneven are the floating water plants,
          they can be gathered left and right.
Modest is the gentle beauty,
          with bells and drums we bring her delight."


*Cortesía: http://www.silkqin.com/02qnpu/10tgyy/tg06gjq.htm