Chinese poem illustration: 郑风 溱洧/Zheng Wind – Zhen River and Wei River

Or watch the video at Bilibili: 郑风 溱洧

A condolence poem to Duke Mu(郑穆公) probably which excellently reflected the local custom changeover at the last phase of Book of Songs, written roughly around 600B.C., while Guanju(关雎), the first generation of the kind is supposed to be written at the very beginning of Zhou dynasty, some time around 1000B.C.

The words 方秉蘭兮 means People from all directions hold an Orchid Flower which coincide with Duke Mu’s legendary name of Orchid(子蘭). Orchid was beleived with national perfume. Maybe you can enjoy this poem together with the music of Yanni: With an Orchid.

Not far from this poem, China entered the Warring States Period(战国) which is the direct result of this social value and custom changeover.

郑风 溱洧
佚名

溱与洧，方涣涣兮。
士与女，方秉蕑兮。
女曰观乎？士曰既且，且往观乎！
洧之外，洵訏且乐。
维士与女，伊其相谑，赠之以勺药。

溱与洧，浏其清矣。
士与女，殷其盈矣。
女曰观乎？士曰既且，且往观乎！
洧之外，洵訏且乐。
维士与女，伊其将谑，赠之以勺药。