not face to face, we shall stay heart to heart.
A day will last three winters far from you:
my tangled knot of grief won't soon unknit.
Care for yourself, my gold, my jade, that I, 545
at the world's ends, may know some peace of mind."
She heard him speak, her feelings in a snarl.
With broken words, she uttered what she thought:
"Why does he hate us so who spins silk threads?*
Before we've joined in joy we part in grief. 550
Together we did swear a sacred oath:
my hair shall gray and wither, not my love.
What matter if I must wait months and years?
I'll think of my wayfaring man and grieve.
We've pledged to wed our hearts—I'll never leave 555
and play my lute aboard another's boat.
As long as hills and streams endure, come back,
remembering her who is with you today."
They lingered hand in hand and could not part,
but now the sun stood plumb above the roof. 560
Step by slow step he tore himself away—¬
at each farewell their tears would fall in streams.
Horse saddled and bags tied in haste, he left:
they split their grief in half and parted ways.
Strange landscapes met his mournful eyes—on trees 565
cuckoos galore, at heaven's edge some geese.
Grieve for him who must bear through wind and rain
a heart more loaded down with love each day.
There she remained, her back against the porch,
her feelings snarled like raveled skeins of silk. 570
Through window bars she gazed at mists beyond—¬
a washed out rose, a willow gaunt and pale.
Distraught, she tarried walking back and forth
when from the birthday feast her folks returned.
Before they could trade news of health and such, 575
in burst a mob of bailiffs on all sides.
With cudgels under arm and swords in hand,
those fiends and monsters rushed around, berserk.*
They cangued them both, the old man, his young son¬—
one cruel rope trussed two dear beings up. 580
Then, like bluebottles buzzing through the house,*
they smashed workbaskets, shattered looms to bits.
They grabbed all jewels, fineries, personal things,
scooping the household clean to fill greed's bag.
From nowhere woe had struck—who'd caused it all? 585
Who'd somehow set the snare and sprung the trap?
Upon inquiry it was later learned
some knave who sold raw silk had brought a charge.*
Fear gripped the household—cries of innocence
shook up the earth, injustice dimmed the clouds. 590
All day they groveled, begged, and prayed—deaf ears
would hear no plea, harsh hands would spare no blow.
A rope hung each from girders, by his heels—¬
rocks would have broken, let alone mere men.
Their faces spoke sheer pain and fright—this wrong 595
could they appeal to Heaven far away?
Lawmen behaved that day as is their wont,
wreaking dire havoc just for money's sake.*
By what means could she save her flesh and blood?
When evil strikes, you bow to circumstance. 600
As you must weigh and choose between your love
and filial duty, which will turn the scale?
She put aside all vows of love and troth¬—
a child first pays the debts of birth and care.
Resolved on what to do, she said: "Hands off— 605
I'll sell myself and Father I'll redeem."
There was an elderly scrivener surnamed Chung,*
a bureaucrat who somehow had a heart.
He witnessed how a daughter proved her love
and felt some secret pity for her plight. 610
Planning to pave this way and clear that path,
he reckoned they would need three hundred liang.
He'd have her kinsmen freed for now, bade her
provide the sum within two days or three.
Pity the child, so young and so naïve— 615
misfortune, like a storm, swooped down on her.*
To part from Kim meant sorrow, death in life—¬
would she still care for life, much less for love?
A raindrop does not brood on its poor fate;*
a leaf of grass repays three months of spring.* 620
Matchmakers were advised of her intent—¬
brisk rumor spread the tidings near and far.
There lived a woman in that neighborhood,
who brought a suitor, one from out of town.
When asked, he gave his name as Scholar Ma* 625
and claimed his home to be "Lin ch'ing, near here."*
Past forty, far beyond the bloom of youth,
he wore a smooth shaved face and smart attire.
Master and men behind came bustling in¬—
the marriage broker ushered him upstairs. 630
He grabbed the best of seats and sat in state
