The dragon's lair

A personal collection of verse

상배자만

김삿갓


늦게 만났다 헤어지긴 빠르니
기쁨을 알기 전에 슬픔부터 알았네
제삿술은 초례 때 빚은 술이고
염습옷은 시집 올 때 지은 옷이네
창 앞의 복숭아나무 꽃을 피웠고 
주렴 밖 새 둥지 제비 한 쌍 드는데
그대 성품도 몰라 장모님께 물으니 
내 딸은 재덕을 겸비했다 하시네

Self-Condolence for Wife's Death

Kim Sat Gat


Why did the encounter come so late?
Why did the parting happen so swift?
Grief was tasted before knowing delight.

The wine at her funeral was
The leftover at her wedding;
Her shroud was her wedding dress.

In the window front,
The small old-time peach blossomed;
Outside the blind,
A pair of swallows came to a new nest.

Whether she had virtue or not
Was asked to her mother;
She said, “My daughter had talent
And virtue, together.”