Relationships
The Te Too (Part I, Book X)
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part I, Book X
A russet pear tree rises all alone,
But rich the growth of leaves upon it shown!
I walk alone, without one brother left,
And thus of natural aid am I bereft.
Plenty of people there are all around,
But none like my own father’s sons are found.
Ye travellers, who for ever hurry by,
Why on me turn the unsympathizing eye?
No brother lives with whom my cause to plead ;—”
Why not perform for me the helping deed?
A russet pear tree rises all alone,
But rich with verdant foliage o’ergrown.
I walk alone, without one brother’s care,
To whom I might, amid my straits, repair.
Plenty of people there are all around,
But none like those of my own name are found.
Ye travellers, who for ever hurry by,
Why on me turn the unsympathizing eye?
No brother lives with whom my cause to plead ;—
Why not perform for me the helping deed ?
Codex Note
Lament of an individual bereaved of his brothers and relatives, or forsaken by them.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Te Too (Part I, Book X).” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/114/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Te Too (Part I, Book X).” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/114/.
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