昔我往矣 杨柳依依 When we set out, the willows were drooping with spring, 今我来思 雨雪霏霏 We come back in the snow, 行道迟迟 载渴载饥 We go slowly, we are hungry and thirsty, 我心伤悲 莫知我哀 Our mind is full of sorrow, who will know of our grief?

昔我往矣 杨柳依依     When we set out, the willows were drooping with spring,

今我来思 雨雪霏霏     We come back in the snow,

行道迟迟 载渴载饥     We go slowly, we are hungry and thirsty,

我心伤悲 莫知我哀     Our mind is full of sorrow, who will know of our grief?

全诗

SONG OF THE BOWMAN OF SHU (by Bunno, about 1100BC)

采薇采薇 薇亦作止     Here we are, picking the first fern-shoots

曰归曰归 岁亦莫止     And saying: When shall we get back to our country?

靡室靡家 玁狁之故     Here we are because we have the Ken-nin for our foemen,

不遑启居 玁狁之故     We have no comfort because of these Mongols.

采薇采薇 薇亦柔止     We grub the soft fern-shoots,

曰归曰归 心亦忧止     When anyone says "Return," the others are full of sorrow.

忧心烈烈 载饥载渴     Sorrowful minds, sorrow is strong, we are hungry and thirsty.

我戍未定 靡使归聘     Our defense is not yet made sure, no one can let his friend return.

采薇采薇 薇亦刚止     We grub the old fern-stalks.

曰归曰归 岁亦阳止     We say: Will we be let to go back in October?

王事靡盬 不遑启处     There is no ease in royal affairs, we have no comfort.

忧心孔疚 我行不来     Our sorrow is bitter, but we would not return to our country.

彼尔维何 维常之华     What flower has come into blossom?

彼路斯何 君子之车     Whose chariot? The General's.

戎车既驾 四牡业业     Horses, his horses even, are tired. They were strong.

岂敢定居 一月三捷     We have no rest, three battles a month.

驾彼四牡 四牡骙骙     By heaven, his horses are tired.

君子所依 小人所腓     The generals are on them, the soldiers are by them.

四牡翼翼 象弭鱼服     The horses are well trained, the generals have ivory arrows and quivers ornamented with fish-skin.

岂不日戒 玁狁孔棘     The enemy is swift, we must be careful.

昔我往矣 杨柳依依     When we set out, the willows were drooping with spring,

今我来思 雨雪霏霏     We come back in the snow,

行道迟迟 载渴载饥     We go slowly, we are hungry and thirsty,

我心伤悲 莫知我哀     Our mind is full of sorrow, who will know of our grief?