Living
The Kéuen Yu
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part I, Book XI
He lodged us in a spacious house,
And plenteous was our fare.
But now at every frugal meal
There’s not a scrap to spare.
Alas! alas that this good man
Could not go on as he began!
Four dishes on the mat the grain
For every meal supplied.
The change is great, from every meal
We rise unsatisfied.
Alas! alas that this good man :
Could not go on as he began!
Codex Note
Some parties, probably refugees, complain of the diminished respect and attention paid to them.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Kéuen Yu.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/130/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Kéuen Yu.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/130/.
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