Book of Songs
齐风·卢令
佚名
卢令令，其人美且仁。
卢重环，其人美且鬈。
卢重鋂，其人美且偲。
Translation
The hounds’ bells ring clear and bright; the man is handsome, and kind in spirit. The hounds wear layered rings upon their necks; the man is handsome, with curling hair. The hounds wear layered ornaments and bells; the man is handsome, capable, and full of vigor.
Analysis
“Lu Ling” is a brief and bright poem of admiration. It does not describe the hunt itself in detail; instead, it lets the ringing bells and ornaments on the hounds frame the figure of the hunter. The three stanzas repeat almost the same structure, but the changing words move the praise from virtue to appearance and then to talent. The hounds’ clear sound and fine adornments become a setting for the man’s grace. The poem’s charm lies in its economy: a few images, a repeated rhythm, and a gaze of admiration that remains restrained rather than excessive.
About the Author
The airs in the Book of Songs were largely drawn from regional songs of the Zhou world, and their individual authors are unknown. They are therefore traditionally attributed to “Anonymous.” These poems preserve voices from folk singing, ritual occasions, labor, love, marriage, complaint, longing, and public life. Their language is simple yet highly shaped by repetition, rhythm, and image. Because they are not tied to a single named poet, they carry a broader collective memory of early Chinese society and form one of the deepest sources of the Chinese poetic tradition.