Living
The Yuen-K‘éw
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part I, Book XII
How gay and volatile you are,
When upon Yuen-k‘ew’s top you stand !
Kindly you are indeed, but want
All that would men’s respect command.
How at the foot of Yuen-k‘ew’s height
Your blows upon the drum resound !
In winter and in summer, there
With egret’s plume in hand you’re found.
To Yuen-k‘ew as you move along,
You beat your sounding earthenware.
In winter and in summer both,
Your fan of egret’s plumes you bear.
Codex Note
The dissipation and pleasure-seeking of the officers of Ch‘in.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Yuen-K‘éw.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/131/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Yuen-K‘éw.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/131/.
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