A Pretty Maiden
- Poetry of Cao Zhi

美女妖且闲，采桑歧路间。

柔条纷冉冉，落叶何翩翩。

攘袖见素手，皓腕约金环。

头上金爵钗，腰佩翠琅玕。

明珠交玉体，珊瑚间木难。

罗衣何飘飘，轻裾随风还。

顾盼遗光彩，长啸气若兰。

行徒用息驾，休者以忘餐。

借问女安居，乃在城南端。

青楼临大路，高门结重关。

容华耀朝日，谁不希令颜？

媒氏何所营？玉帛不时安。

佳人慕高义，求贤良独难。

众人徒嗷嗷，安知彼所观？

盛年处房室，中夜起长叹。

A pretty maiden full of charm and grace 

Is picking mulberries in a bustling place.

The pliant twigs are waving left and right;

The verdant leaves are falling soft and light.

Her sleeves reveal her dainty nimble hands 

And tender wrists wearing golden bands.

On her head are golden hairpins for the hair 

And on her waist is emerald jadeware.

She wears resplendent pearls of graceful taste,

And corals which are strewn with rare green stones.

Her satin dress is wavering with ease,

With buoyant hems aflutter in the breeze.

There is a brightness shining in her eyes;

There is an orchid flavour in her sighs.

The passers-by long linger on their way;

The lookers-on forget their meals today.

Where does this pretty maiden reside?

She lives in town along the southern side.

Her splendid mansion stands along the road;

Behind closed gates and doors is her abode.

Her beauty,which outshines the morning sun,

Is truly liked and loved by everyone.

What plans have all those match-makers made?

Why don't they send in dowers,silk and jade?

The pretty maiden loves the lofty mind,

But such a virtuous man is hard to find.

While the common people make a hue and cry,

How can they know who has caught her eye?

In her best years behind the doors closed tight,

She stays awake and sighs until midnight.