Chinese poem illustration: 卫风 氓/ Wei Wind – Outlander by Anonymous
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The unique Chinese poetry genre Woman Complaining Poetry(闺怨诗) started since this poem, a simple, lyrical narrative poem, which deeply influenced so many late comers, just name a few: Peacock Flies Southeast(孔雀东南飞), Song of Changgan(长干行), Song of Everlasting Sorrow(长恨歌).
This poem tells the life story of a female roughly 3000 years ago, from her childhood till her late years, which seems a too normal subject for us. Just think it again: a poem on love, marriage and family written by a female poet, have you ever seen a second?
Part1 is about her love and wedding, part2 is about her marriage life. Her husband behave such differently after the wedding. Though he feels regretful everyday and promise to behave with manner, the next day is of no change.
卫风 氓
佚名
氓之蚩蚩，抱布贸丝。
匪来贸丝，来即我谋。
送子涉淇，至于顿丘。
匪我愆期，子无良媒。
将子无怒，秋以为期。
乘彼垝垣，以望复关。
不见复关，泣涕涟涟。
既见复关，载笑载言。
尔卜尔筮，体无咎言。
以尔车来，以我贿迁。
桑之未落，其叶沃若。
于嗟鸠兮，无食桑葚！
于嗟女兮，无与士耽！
士之耽兮，犹可说也。
女之耽兮，不可说也。
桑之落矣，其黄而陨。
自我徂尔，三岁食贫。
淇水汤汤，渐车帷裳。
女也不爽，士贰其行。
士也罔极，二三其德。
三岁为妇，靡室劳矣。
夙兴夜寐，靡有朝矣。
言既遂矣，至于暴矣。
兄弟不知，咥其笑矣。
静言思之，躬自悼矣。
及尔偕老，老使我怨。
淇则有岸，隰则有泮。
总角之宴，言笑晏晏。
信誓旦旦，不思其反。
反是不思，亦已焉哉！
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