A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems/Plucking the Rushes

PLUCKING THE RUSHES

[A BOY AND GIRL ARE SENT TO GATHER RUSHES FOR THATCHING]

Anon. [fourth century]

Green rushes with red shoots,
Long leaves bending to the wind —
You and I in the same boat
Plucking rushes at the Five Lakes.
We started at dawn from the orchid-island:
We rested under the elms till noon.
You and I plucking rushes
Had not plucked a handful when night came!