History & Politics
I Pass through the Lu Dukedom with a Sigh and a Sacrifice for Confucius
Translated by Witter Bynner and Kiang Kang-hu (1929) · From The Jade Mountain (1929)
O Master, how did the world repay
Your life of long solicitude? —
The Lords of Tsou have misprized your land,
And your home has been used as the palace of Lu... .
You foretold that when phœnixes vanished, your fortunes too would end,
You knew that the captured unicorn would be a sign of the close of your teaching... .
Can this sacrifice I watch, here between two temple-pillars,
Be the selfsame omen of death you dreamed of long ago?
Cite this poem
MLA
Hsüan-tsung, Emperor. “I Pass through the Lu Dukedom with a Sigh and a Sacrifice for Confucius.” Translated by Witter Bynner and Kiang Kang-hu. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/hsuan-tsung/0/.
Chicago
Hsüan-tsung, Emperor. “I Pass through the Lu Dukedom with a Sigh and a Sacrifice for Confucius.” Translated by Witter Bynner and Kiang Kang-hu. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/hsuan-tsung/0/.