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Confucius - In Praise Of By-Gone Simplicity
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In the old capital they stood,
    With yellow fox-furs plain,
  Their manners all correct and good,
    Speech free from vulgar stain.
  Could we go back to Chow`s old days,
  All would look up to them with praise.

  In the old capital they wore
    _T`ae_ hats and black caps small;
  And ladies, who famed surnames bore,
    Their own thick hair let fall.
  Such simple ways are seen no more,
  And the changed manners I deplore.

  Ear-rings, made of plainest gold,
    In the old days were worn.
  Each lady of a noble line
    A Yin or Keih seemed born.
  Such officers and ladies now
  I see not and my sorrows grow.

  With graceful sweep their girdles fell,
    Then in the days of old.
  The ladies` side-hair, with a swell,
    Like scorpion`s tail, rose bold.
  Such, if I saw them in these days,
  I`d follow with admiring gaze.

  So hung their girdles, not for show;--
    To their own length `twas due.
  `Twas not by art their hair curled so;--
    By nature so it grew.
  I seek such manners now in vain,
  And pine for them with longing pain.
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