The ospreys sang
On the islet of the river
A demure and graceful maiden came
A gentleman’s dream mate she made
Short here, long there, the duckweed swaying
To and pro along with the river flowing
The demure and graceful maiden
Possessed his heart day and night
He sought her and found her not
Restlessly, spent his sleepless night
On his back, on his side
Tossed and turned in bed
Short here, long there, the duckweed swaying
On the left, on the right, the girls were gathering
The demure and graceful maiden
We saluted her with flutes and harps
Short here, long there, the duckweed swaying
On the left, on the right, the girls were collecting
The demure and graceful maiden
We pleased her with bells and drums
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A poem composed 2500 years ago, from "Odes Of Zhou And The South"
