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The Songs 139 I have noticed that recently you have not even one-third of the feeling you once used to have for me. From the time we first met until now, because of you, all day I suffer distress and anxiety; The vows you made to me in the beginning were empty; today you have broken your pledge. I had hoped to have a lover I could rely on; But it seems to me no man is single-hearted.169 I say I will not bother about you; but die and seek are-birth ... But thinking over it, I will not do anything so foolish. For what would I gain by leaving the world of human pleasures and dying in vain? I remember - but you do not - the moment of our first meeting; Why did you deceive me for so long? You only wanted a new plaything . Now, mend your ways and become a 'new man', and we two will share our marriage destiny.170 Ah! How impatient I am! Do not allow men to call you a fickle lover; Change your heart and treat me with tenderness. I think I am subservient, my benefactor. Song 69 No Easy Task It is no easy task, my dearest! Can you understand my feelings of bitter distress? More cruel is the wound of lusting with you [Le. the courtesan] day and night than that of a sharp knife. Recently I see the number of your familiar 'guests' has declined and no new'guests' are coming; On neither side [i.e. with neither old nor new 'guests'] are you successful ; water and oil do not mix. 169 Cf. Songs 2, line 1; 61, line 8. 170 See Song 42. The Songs 139 I have noticed that recently you have not even one-third of the feeling you once used to have for me. From the time we first met until now, because of you, all day I suffer distress and anxiety; The vows you made to me in the beginning were empty; today you have broken your pledge. I had hoped to have a lover I could rely on; But it seems to me no man is single-hearted.169 I say I will not bother about you; but die and seek are-birth ... But thinking over it, I will not do anything so foolish. For what would I gain by leaving the world of human pleasures and dying in vain? I remember - but you do not - the moment of our first meeting; Why did you deceive me for so long? You only wanted a new plaything . Now, mend your ways and become a 'new man', and we two will share our marriage destiny.170 Ah! How impatient I am! Do not allow men to call you a fickle lover; Change your heart and treat me with tenderness. I think I am subservient, my benefactor. Song 69 No Easy Task It is no easy task, my dearest! Can you understand my feelings of bitter distress? More cruel is the wound of lusting with you [Le. the courtesan] day and night than that of a sharp knife. Recently I see the number of your familiar 'guests' has declined and no new'guests' are coming; On neither side [i.e. with neither old nor new 'guests'] are you successful ; water and oil do not mix. 169 Cf. Songs 2, line 1; 61, line 8. 170 See Song 42. 140 Cantonese Love Songs Early on, I learned that I could not live with you; it would have been better had we never met at all, And I would not have been day and night so anxious. I advise you, open up your heart, and find a good partner, That he may payoff your debts, to avoid being harassed on all sides by your rent-demanding creditors. The river-side houses of entertainment may be showy and splendid but have you ever known anyone to live well there till old age?171 Really, if all you get from him is clear tea and plain rice [i.e. basic sustenance], still you must chose someone who can bring you to safety [i.e. redemption from this way of life]. There have been so many fires recently, and it is no easy task to ply one's trade [i.e. as a courtesan in the houses of entertainment]; The marine magistrate and his police [i.e. collecting taxes] storm in here everyday and shout and scream. You do...

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