Chinese poem illustration: 曹风 下泉/ Cao Wind – Springs Underground by Anonymous
Full video also available at Bilibili: 曹风 下泉
A simple classical condolence poem at first glance while quite alternative either by its subject and writing. The condolence poem in State Wind(国风) always is about the first state lord or his own father while this poem is about to the first king, King Wen(周文王). The standard writing is of 3 or 2 charpters while this poem is of 4 chapters, very close to Bei Wind(邶风). The reason might be Cao Wind wittren at a very early period before the set up of the Shijing standard or might be influenced by Bei State(邶国).
Two interesting comparions are made between this poem toward Xiaoya/Bai Hua(小雅 白华) and Xiaya/Shu Miao(小雅 黍苗).
曹风 下泉
佚名
冽彼下泉，浸彼苞稂。
忾我寤叹，念彼周京。
冽彼下泉，浸彼苞萧。
忾我寤叹，念彼京周。
冽彼下泉，浸彼苞蓍。
忾我寤叹，念彼京师。
芃芃黍苗，阴雨膏之。
四国有王，郇伯劳之。
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