Two classical Chinese poems: "Impromptu" by Meng Chiao, and "Outside the Eastern Gate" from the Shih Ching
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Keep away from sharp swords
Don't go near a lovely woman.
A sharp sword too close will wound your hand;
Woman's beauty too close will wound your life!
The danger of the road is not in the distance;
Ten yards is far enough to break a wheel.
The peril of love is not in loving too often;
A single evening can leave its wound in the soul.
The following poem is from the Shih Ching. It is the the 93rd poem appearing in Mao's ordering of the Shih Ching, but is often numbered 36th in English versions of that anthology.
"Outside the Eastern Gate"
Outside the Eastern gate
Are girls many as the clouds;
But though they are many as clouds
There is none on whom my heart dwells.
White jacket and grey scarf 1
Alone could cure my woe.
Beyond the Gate Tower
Are girls lovely as rush-wool;
But though they are lovely as rush-wool
There is none with whom my heart bides.
White jacket and madder skirt
Alone could bring me joy.
1.White jacket and grey scarf are the conventional garb of a humble lover. See Arthur Waley, The Book of Songs: The Ancient Chinese Classic of Poetry, page 43, note 2.
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