Lawful wife. <br /> <br />There is still some wine left in the chalice, <br />And the plate that’s served is nests of the swallows. <br />Since the birth of time, the legal spouse <br />Is respected by her mandarin-husband. <br /> <br />Concubine <br /> <br />There is still some wine left in the chalice, <br />And the plate is served – duck: fat and heavy; <br />Should a mandarin be deprived of children - <br />Concubine is needed for a mandarin. <br /> <br />Maid <br /> <br />There is still some wine left in the chalice, <br />And the plate is served - preserves and marmalade. <br />Why the two of you are in his house? <br />Every night a new woman he desires. <br /> <br />Mandarin <br /> <br />There is no more wine left in the chalice, <br />And the plate that’s served is hot red pepper. <br />Silence! O you: bunch of silly blabbers, <br />Dare you laughing at the poor old mandarin.<br /><br />Nikolai Stepanovich Gumilev<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/three-wives-of-a-mandarin/
