Part I - Ancient Songs and Poems: Kayo, Hyang-ga, and Secular Songs

Summary

Lamenting Her Husband's Drowning A woman of the Ancient Chosŏn

Though I urged him not to cross the river,

He did not listen to my admonition.

He waded into the river, and got drowned;

What should I do, now he is gone?

Song of the Orioles King Yuri of Koguryŏ (r. 19 bce–ce 18)

Those orioles singing, fluttering their wings,

Are in the joy of their conjugal companionship;

Lonesome as I am, deprived of my beloved,

With whom should I head toward my home?

Chant of Invocation of the Turtle Nine Chieftains of Karak Kingdom (ce 42)

You, turtle, who will rule us,

Crawl out, and show your head.

If you don't appear immediately,

We shall cook you up, and eat.

Song of a Peddler's Wife A peddler's wife in Paek-je

O moon, rise high, rise up high,

And brighten the road he treads.

Aila-lay, alla-lay,

Aila-lay, dalla-lay.

Are you now at a marketplace?

I fear the road may be muddy.

Aila-lay, alla-lay,

Aila-lay, dalla-lay.

Take down your load wherever you can.

Wherever you are, I fear the sun may set soon.

Aila-lay, alla-lay,

Aila-lay, dalla-lay.

Song of Sŏ-dong Sŏ-dong (Later King Mu of Paek-je, seventh century)

Princess Sŏn-hwa secretly

Married nobody knows who.

That young man, Sŏ-dong,

She secretly hugs every night.

A Prayer for Eternal Peace Rev. Kwang-dŏk (seventh century)

Moon, are you now going down

Over yon western hill?

Pray, convey my wish to Buddha

Seated in the palace of eternal peace:

Looking up toward his merciful face,

With my hands held palm to palm,

I pray for the beloved soul of mine

To be born again in the land of eternal peace.

Ah, when it leaves this body here,

Will it attain my wish to be reborn in Nirvana?

Lamenting a Dear Friend's Death Dŭk-o (seventh century)

Missing the spring gone,

I weep in unbearable grief.

Your unparalleled noble look will not

Please an onlooker's eyes, never again.

Wherever I turn my eyes,

Can I ever see your like again?

My friend and master, my longing for you

Draws me near the bush where you lie.

Offering to Pluck a Flower An old cowherd (eighth century)

Near a purple rock by the sea

Let me free my hands leading a cow.