Gathering Kudzu

Anonymous

Oh, the kudzu vines are long and green,

And th’ king’s hate and sorrow are deep and keen.

He tastes th’ gall bladder, taking pain for joy;

At his word we gather hemp for decoy.

We weavers keep working hard day and night;

Of hunger and fatigue we all make light.

E’en thin gauze our kudzu cloth does outshine;

Nam’d “chisu”, as a gift it’s nice and fine.

Our captive king the cloth does greatly please,

And an amnesty th’ Wu’s monarch decrees.

Th’ scepter regain’d, Yue’s restor’d as a state;

The lief enlarg’d , Yue’s subjects feel elate.

Our king will surely sweep th’ trouble away,

For up hill and down dale we’ll with him stay!