I wander outside the eastern gate,
Where I meet a noble air of great.
I follow to a secluded space,
Servicing him with garments displace.
No vows made beneath the mulberry,
Near the roadside, we both make merry.
His lovely looks engage me, they do,
Pleased is he by my countenance, too.

How to convey our sincerity?
Slip on the arms two golden bracelets.
How to convey our courteousness?
Fix the fingers a pair of silver.
How to convey delicate feelings?
Appoint two pearls upon the earlobes.
How to convey our joint devotion?
Tie a sachet behind the elbow.
How to convey our pining, yearning?
Wind around the wrists two long ribbons.
How to bind affections eternal?
Fine jade strung by beaded, silken thread.
How to bind our hearts from within us?
White strands linked by two stitches of truth.
How to bind our love to each other?
Gold foil glazing the wrap for the hair.
How to console upon departure?
A tortoiseshell pin behind the ear.
How to requite happiness given?
Skirts with three embroidered ribbon hems.
How to bind our sorrows together?
White threads sewn into our clothes beneath.

Where has he arranged to meet with me?
At a corner of Eastridge, prithee.
The sun has set, yet no one is here,
Vale wind billowing my robes austere.
Gazing towards the distance yields naught,
I stand long, my tears dithering, fraught.

Where has he arranged to meet with me?
At the sun’s rise in Southridge, prithee.
Midday has come, yet no one is here,
Hard wind billowing my clothes severe.
In leisure, my eyes see nobody,
My longing for him blights within me.

Where has he arranged to meet with me?
At a corner of Westridge, prithee.
Twilight has come, yet no one is here,
Long sighs lingering about endear.
A chilly breeze arrives from afar,
So I pull my clothes tighter in par.

Where has he arranged to meet with me?
At a hillside of Southridge, prithee.
The sun went down, yet no one is here,
Keen wind billowing my lapels’ tier.
No more waiting for him can I do,
Bitter sadness seeps my heart on through.

Why had he come to love me, that time?
He cherished only my life’s fine prime.
Within passion, there was probity,
Then the confidentiality.

Hems lifted, I walk ‘tween greenery,
Self-told that he would not lie to me.
My profile holds unsightly details,
and I rove, no place my relied trails.

Self-injured for want of sought-out love,
My tears are rain endless from above.

Original Text
我出东门游，邂逅承清尘。
思君即幽房，侍寝执衣巾。
时无桑中契，迫此路侧人。
我既媚君姿，君亦悦我颜。
何以致拳拳？绾臂双金环。
何以道殷勤？约指一双银。
何以致区区？耳中双明珠。
何以致叩叩？香囊系肘后。
何以致契阔？绕腕双跳脱。
何以结恩情？美玉缀罗缨。
何以结中心？素缕连双针。
何以结相于？金薄画搔头。
何以慰别离？耳后玳瑁钗。
何以答欢忻？纨素三条裙。
何以结愁悲？白绢双中衣。
与我期何所？乃期东山隅。
日旰兮不来，谷风吹我襦。
远望无所见，涕泣起踟蹰。
与我期何所？乃期山南阳。
日中兮不来，飘风吹我裳。
逍遥莫谁睹，望君愁我肠。
与我期何所？乃期西山隅。
日夕兮不来，踯躅长叹息。
远望凉风至，俯仰正衣服。
与我期何所？乃期山北岑。
日暮兮不来，凄风吹我襟。
望君不能坐，悲苦愁我心。
爱身以何为，惜我华色时。
中情既款款，然后克密期。
褰衣蹑茂草，谓君不我欺。
厕此丑陋质，徙倚无所之。
自伤失所欲，泪下如连丝。