A Country-woman of Yuqian
- Poetry of Su Shi

《于潜女》

English Rendering

A country-woman in farm dress and skirt blue Reveals her frost-white bare feet for she wears no shoe.

A silver hairpin passing through her tousled hair, Like shuttle in a loom she wades in wind and rain.

Hers is the dress that ancient palace maids did wear: People cannot forget their former master's reign.

Willow catkins begin to fly beside the brook Which sees her pass across with her pencilled eyebrows.

The woodman comes back, they exchange an amorous look And won't believe on earth there is a happier spouse.

A Country-woman of Yuqian by Su Shi
A Country-woman of Yuqian by Su Shi

Original Text (中文原文)

青裙缟袂于潜女,两足如霜不穿屦。

觰沙鬓发丝穿柠,蓬沓障前走风雨。

老濞宫妆传父祖,至今遗民悲故主。

苕溪杨柳初飞絮,照溪画眉渡溪去。

逢郎樵归相媚妩,不信姬姜有齐鲁。

Analysis & Context

In 1093, Su Shi inspected Yuqian area where the Wu-Yue culture had flourished since the early Han Dynasty. The traditional dress, the silver head coverings, and the charming openness of Yuqian women took his fancy. In contrast would be the courtesans, the mythical ladies and the various ideal women of some folklore. Again, catkins are associated with softness and the feminine in culture, with true love and spiritual nourishment.

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