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Song 3 Do Not Die
- Hong Kong University Press, HKU
- Chapter
- Additional Information
The Songs 61 The single-hearted lover, like a scattered fragment, is harder to find than a needle in the ocean; Even if you do find a true-hearted lover, cannot others find him too? With how many hearts can true love really be shared?6 Think carefully about predestined fate which all of us must accept. Let us be content with our lot: A previous existence determines our present fate. So envy no one? Song 3 Do Not Die Do not lightly spurn life. Our death should be a happy one. I fear that after death you will say, 'If only I had another chance to die, I would die a timely death.'8 Some ought to die; but 'stealing' life they continue to live without a care for their self-esteem. Some ought not to die, and their death is indeed pitiable. I believe those who die an untimely death and those who 'steal' life are very different: The latter suffer from men; the former fill me with sadness. A glorious death shines more resplendently than any life could ever do. Loyal ministers and faithful wives are remembered forever. From the earliest times, girls who made light of life did so because of passion; When the barriers are broken down, virtue must prevail. Through the ages, we have seldom seen perfect passion and perfect virtue together; However, we do have an example of it, not far away: You have only to read in the 'Dream of the Red Chamber' about Third Sister and Lau Seung-lin.9 6 See Song 61, line 8. 7 See Songs 9, line 5; 35 (Part 3), line 3; 35 (Part 4), line 8. 8 See Song 83, line 11. 9 The famous Chinese novel, The Dream of the Red Chamber or Dream in a Red Chamber or Red Chamber Dream (~ItI~, Hung Lau Mung), more correctly called, The Story of The Songs 61 The single-hearted lover, like a scattered fragment, is harder to find than a needle in the ocean; Even if you do find a true-hearted lover, cannot others find him too? With how many hearts can true love really be shared?6 Think carefully about predestined fate which all of us must accept. Let us be content with our lot: A previous existence determines our present fate. So envy no one? Song 3 Do Not Die Do not lightly spurn life. Our death should be a happy one. I fear that after death you will say, 'If only I had another chance to die, I would die a timely death.'8 Some ought to die; but 'stealing' life they continue to live without a care for their self-esteem. Some ought not to die, and their death is indeed pitiable. I believe those who die an untimely death and those who 'steal' life are very different: The latter suffer from men; the former fill me with sadness. A glorious death shines more resplendently than any life could ever do. Loyal ministers and faithful wives are remembered forever. From the earliest times, girls who made light of life did so because of passion; When the barriers are broken down, virtue must prevail. Through the ages, we have seldom seen perfect passion and perfect virtue together; However, we do have an example of it, not far away: You have only to read in the 'Dream of the Red Chamber' about Third Sister and Lau Seung-lin.9 6 See Song 61, line 8. 7 See Songs 9, line 5; 35 (Part 3), line 3; 35 (Part 4), line 8. 8 See Song 83, line 11. 9 The famous Chinese novel, The Dream of the Red Chamber or Dream in a Red Chamber or Red Chamber Dream (~ItI~, Hung Lau Mung), more correctly called, The Story of ...