Green grows the grass upon the bank,
The willow-shoots are long and lank ;
A lady in a glistening gown
Opens the casement and looks down.
The roses on her cheek blush bright,
Her rounded arm is dazzling white ;
A singing-girl in early life,
And now a careless roué’s wife…..
Ah, if he does not mind his own,
He’ll find some day the bird has flown!
Mei Shêng, 2nd cent. B.C.