Living
The Tung Mun Che Ch‘e
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part I, Book XII
To steep your hemp, you seek the moat,
Where lies the pool, th’ east gate beyond.
I seek that lady, good and fair,
Who can to me in song respond.
To steep your grass-cloth plants, you seek
The pool that near the east gate lies.
I seek that lady, good and fair,
Who can with me hold converse wise.
Out by the east gate, to the moat,
To steep your rope-rush, you repair.
Her pleasant converse to enjoy,
I seek that lady, good and fair.
Codex Note
The praise of some virtuous and intelligent lady.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Tung Mun Che Ch‘e.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/134/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Tung Mun Che Ch‘e.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/134/.
Read this poem with the Codex →