The Wisdom of Confucius Part 27

As when the north winds whistle shrill, And drifting snows each hollow fill, The source of pain and suffering great, So now it is in Wei's poor state.

Let us join hands, and leave for aye, My friends and lovers all, 'Tis not a time will brook delay; Things for prompt action call.

We look for red, and foxes meet; For black, and crows our vision greet.

The creatures, both of omen bad, Well suit the state of Wei so sad.

Let us join hands and mount our cars, My friends and lovers all.

No time remains for wordy jars; Things for prompt action call.

CHw.a.n.g KEANG BEMOANS HER HUSBAND'S CRUELTY

Fierce is the wind and cold; And such is he.

Smiling he looks, and bold Speaks mockingly.

Scornful and lewd his words, Haughty his smile.

Bound is my heart with cords In sorrow's coil.

As cloud of dust wind-blown, Just such is he.

Ready he seems to own, And come to me.

But he comes not nor goes, Stands in his pride.

Long, long, with painful throes, Grieved I abide.

Strong blew the wind; the cloud Hastened away.

Soon dark again, the shroud Covers the day.

I wake, and sleep no more Visits my eyes.

His course I sad deplore, With heavy sighs.

Cloudy the sky, and dark; The thunders roll.

Such outward signs well mark My troubled soul.

I wake, and sleep no more Comes to give rest.

His course I sad deplore, In anguished breast.

[_Selections from Books IV, V, and VI have been omitted._]

BOOK VII

_The Odes of Ch'ing_

THE PEOPLE'S ADMIRATION FOR DUKE WOO

The black robes well your form befit; When they are worn we'll make you new.

Now for your court! oh! there we'll sit, And watch how you your duties do.

And when we to our homes repair, We'll send to you our richest fare, Such is the love to you we bear!

Those robes well with your virtue match; When they are worn we'll make you new.

Now for your court! There will we watch, Well pleased, how you your duties do.

And when we to our homes repair, We'll send to you our richest fare, Such is the love to you we bear!

Those robes your character beseem; When they are worn we'll make you new.

Now for your court! oh! there we deem It pleasure great your form to view.

And when we to our homes repair, We'll send to you our richest fare, Such is the love to you we bear!

A WIFE CONSOLED BY HER HUSBAND'S ARRIVAL

Cold is the wind, fast falls the rain, The c.o.c.k aye shrilly crows.

But I have seen my lord again;-- Now must my heart repose.

Whistles the wind, patters the rain, The c.o.c.k's crow far resounds.

But I have seen my lord again, And healed are my heart's wounds.

All's dark amid the wind and rain, Ceaseless the c.o.c.k's clear voice!

But I have seen my lord again;-- Should not my heart rejoice?

IN PRAISE OF SOME LADY

There by his side in chariot rideth she, As lovely flower of the hibiscus tree, So fair her face; and when about they wheel, Her girdle gems of _Ken_ themselves reveal.

For beauty all the House of Keang have fame; Its eldest daughter--she beseems her name.

There on the path, close by him, walketh she, Bright as the blossom of hibiscus tree, And fair her face; and when around they flit, Her girdle gems a tinkling sound emit.

Among the Keang she has distinguished place, For virtuous fame renowned, and peerless grace.

A MAN'S PRAISE OF HIS WIFE

My path forth from the east gate lay, Where cloud-like moved the girls at play.

Numerous are they, as clouds so bright, But not on them my heart's thoughts light.

Dressed in a thin white silk, with coiffure gray, Is she, my wife, my joy in life's low way.

Forth by the covering wall's high tower, I went, and saw, like rush in flower, Each flaunting girl. Brilliant are they, But not with them my heart's thoughts stay.

In thin white silk, with head-dress madder-dyed, Is she, my sole delight, 'foretime my bride.

AN ENTREATY

Along the great highway, I hold you by the cuff.

O spurn me not, I pray, Nor break old friends.h.i.+p off.

Along the highway worn, I hold your hand in mine.

Do not as vile me scorn; Your love I can't resign.