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The Songs 117 Song 42 Virtuous Woman and Passionate Man120 Why do you get so angry so quickly? Once you see me you become vexed. We have known each other for so long; each of us has often been angry with the other. Many times have I been angry with you. But we made it up. Now even the word 'passion' is insipid. My lord, since you are always angry, I feel I am an embarrassment for you. I have submitted to you too often, and I fear I have been the plaything of your passion. I spoke out once in anger lest you became too cruel. Perhaps after thinking it over you will heed my warning. Now let us be friends again to avoid having people criticize us. I realize there is some affinity between us; therefore I am loathe to part from you and to choose someone else. Granted my face always showed my anger, but my heart never ceased treasuring you; If only I could lay bare my soul for my lord to see! I regret that we met each other but too late;12I Now we will hold hands and never let go; we must be the virtuous woman and the passionate man. Song 43 Do Not Be Too Much on Fire Do not be too much on fire. Excessive heat is followed by wind.122 I think the weather and human affairs are very much alike. You do not believe me? See how when the sun has moved southwards for a number of days, the cold wind follows. 120 See Songs 11 (Part 5), line 11; 13 (Part 1), line 16; 68, line 15. 121 See Song 6, line 1. 122 See Song 89, line 11. The Songs Song 42 Virtuous Woman and Passionate Man120 117 Why do you get so angry so quickly? Once you see me you become vexed. We have known each other for so long; each of us has often been angry with the other. Many times have I been angry with you. But we made it up. Now even the word 'passion' is insipid. My lord, since you are always angry, I feel I am an embarrassment for you. I have submitted to you too often, and I fear I have been the plaything of your passion. I spoke out once in anger lest you became too cruel. Perhaps after thinking it over you will heed my warning. Now let us be friends again to avoid having people criticize us. I realize there is some affinity between us; therefore I am loathe to part from you and to choose someone else. Granted my face always showed my anger, but my heart never ceased treasuring you; If only I could lay bare my soul for my lord to see! I regret that we met each other but too late;12I Now we will hold hands and never let go; we must be the virtuous woman and the passionate man. Song 43 Do Not Be Too Much on Fire Do not be too much on fire. Excessive heat is followed by wind.122 I think the weather and human affairs are very much alike. You do not believe me? See how when the sun has moved southwards for a number of days, the cold wind follows. 120 See Songs 11 (Part 5), line 11; 13 (Part 1), line 16; 68, line 15. 121 See Song 6, line 1. 122 See Song 89, line 11. 118 Cantonese Love Songs Although devoted to your lover you must part; must loosen your hold on each other for a while. I believe that on this earth meeting times are appointed, which you cannot shy away from; Year in and year out the seventh night of the seventh moon is the time of meeting.123 They say meeting just for one day is of no use; In only twelve hours how can you tell the sum of your sorrow? However I must say that meeting for a single day is not useless: Over a length of time, a single day every year will bring its reward. Would that men could imitate the Seven Sisters' enduring love, lasting for a thousand yearsP24 Here is the seed of true passion: Parting comes only in life, and not in death - such is the richness of passion. Song 44 Detain Your Guest If you must go, then you need not have come in the first place. I might as well part...

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