Living
The Moo Mun
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part I, Book XII
Where through the gate in to the tombs we go,
Thick jujube trees, the axe requiring, grow.
Like them that man, who ill befits his place,
And through the State is reckoned a disgrace !
All know him bad, but to his course he’ll hold,
So long to evil has the man been sold.
Where through the gate in to the tombs we turn,
Owls perched upon the plum-trees we discern.
Such omen well may to that man belong,
Whom to admonish I now sing this song.
No welcome will the admonition find ;
When overthrown, my words he’ll call to mind.
Codex Note
On some evil person who was going on obstinately to his ruin.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Moo Mun.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/136/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Moo Mun.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/136/.
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