THE SONG OF A SKIRT 



From the Chinese of Ch'in T'ao-yii 



W. J. B. FLETCHER 



I, cottage-born, have never known 



Silk clothes or perfumes sweet. 

 To mate me in soine happy match 



There lacks occasion meet. 

 I am not one who only cares 



For pleasure and for song. 

 At her who has no dowry 



The world looks hard and long. 

 But with my nimble fingers 



My needle's sleight I play; 

 Nor care to trim mine eyebrows 



As long as others may. 

 Year in, year out, the silk I draw 



With weariness and care, 

 For others making bridal robes— 



That I shall never wear. 



13 



