Chinese poem illustration: 邶风 燕燕/ Bei Wind – Swallows Swallows by Anonymous
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Farewell or parting poetry(送别诗) is one of the most popular and touching type in Chinese classic poetry, this poem and Bei Wind – Spring(邶风 泉水) started this trend and type. The feelings, the scenario and writing algorithm established by these two poems are not only resonated in the poems of later generations, but also imprinted in Chinese mindset and lifestyle till today.
A new interpretation is put forward on the 4th paragraph. 仲氏 and 任只 both refer to the Zhong(仲) family and Ren(任) family, who are actually the same people with same blood. 只 refers to witch or the ancestors of the family, thus 任只 means the Ren witchs or the ancestors of Ren.
邶风 燕燕
佚名
燕燕于飞，差池其羽。
之子于归，远送于野。
瞻望弗及，泣涕如雨。
燕燕于飞，颉之颃之。
之子于归，远于将之。
瞻望弗及，伫立以泣。
燕燕于飞，下上其音。
之子于归，远送于南。
瞻望弗及，实劳我心。
仲氏任只，其心塞渊。
终温且惠，淑慎其身。
先君之思，以勖寡人。
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