by Herbert Allen Giles (1845 - 1935)
Translation by Henri Pierre Roché (1879 - 1959)

Knowing, fair sir, my matrimonial thrall
Language: English  after the Chinese (中文) 
Knowing, fair sir, my matrimonial thrall,
Two pearls thou sentest me, costly withal.
And I, seeing that Love thy heart possessed,
I wrapped them coldly in my silken vest.

For mine is a household of high degree,
My husband captain in the King's army;
And one with wit like thine should say,
"The troth of wives is for ever and ay."

Why thy two pearls I send thee back two tears:
Tears - that we did not meet in earlier years."

About the headline (FAQ)

Confirmed with Herbert A. Giles, A History of Chinese Literature, New York, London: D. Appleton and Co., 1924, page 176.


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Researcher for this page: Garrett Medlock [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2020-04-01
Line count: 10
Word count: 80

Réponse d'une épouse sage
Language: French (Français)  after the English 
Connaissant, seigneur, mon état d'épouse,
Tu m'as envoyé deux perles précieuses
Et moi, comprenant ton amour
Je les posai froidement sur la soie de ma robe.
Car ma maison est de haut lignage 
Mon époux capitaine de la garde du Roi
Et un homme comme toi devrait dire:
"Les liens de l'épouse ne se défont pas."
Avec les deux perles je te renvoie deux larmes,
Deux larmes pour ne pas t'avoir connu plus tôt.

Text Authorship:

Based on:

Based on:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2004-01-20
Line count: 10
Word count: 74