关雎 Guanju: The Calling Ospreys

关关雎鸠，在河之洲。 guān guān jū jiū, zài hé zhī zhōu.
Calling back and forth, the ospreys are on an islet in the river.

窈窕淑女，君子好逑。 yǎo tiǎo shū nǚ, jūn zǐ hǎo qiú.
The gentle, lovely young woman would be a good partner for the gentleman.

参差荇菜，左右流之。 cēn cī xìng cài, zuǒ yòu liú zhī.
The water plants grow in uneven lengths; to the left and right, hands seek them in the current.

窈窕淑女，寤寐求之。 yǎo tiǎo shū nǚ, wù mèi qiú zhī.
The gentle, lovely young woman: waking and sleeping, he seeks her.

求之不得，寤寐思服。 qiú zhī bù dé, wù mèi sī fú.
He seeks her without success; waking and sleeping, he thinks of her.

悠哉悠哉，辗转反侧。 yōu zāi yōu zāi, zhǎn zhuǎn fǎn cè.
Long, so long the longing lasts; he tosses and turns from side to side.

参差荇菜，左右采之。 cēn cī xìng cài, zuǒ yòu cǎi zhī.
The water plants grow in uneven lengths; to the left and right, hands gather them.

窈窕淑女，琴瑟友之。 yǎo tiǎo shū nǚ, qín sè yǒu zhī.
The gentle, lovely young woman: with qin and se zithers he would draw close to her.

参差荇菜，左右芼之。 cēn cī xìng cài, zuǒ yòu mào zhī.
The water plants grow in uneven lengths; to the left and right, hands select them.

窈窕淑女，钟鼓乐之。 yǎo tiǎo shū nǚ, zhōng gǔ lè zhī.
The gentle, lovely young woman: with bells and drums he would delight her.