The Jade Mountain
Is the launching of a little boat on a great river.. . . You were very young when your mother died,Which made me the more tender of you.Your elder sister has looked out for you,And now you are both crying and cannot part.This makes my grief the harder to bear;Yet it is right that you should go.. . . Having had from childhood no mother to guide you,How will you honour your mother-in-law?It's an excellent family; they will be kind to you,They will forgive you your mistakes—Although ours has been so pure and poorThat you can take them no great dowry.Be gentle and respectful, as a woman should be,Careful of word and look, observant of good example.. . . After this morning we separate,There's no knowing for how long . . .I always try to hide my feelings—They are suddenly too much for me,When I turn and see my younger daughterWith the tears running down her cheek.
212
