History & Politics
The Sih Yéw Ch‘ang-Ts‘oo
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part I, Book XIII
Where the grounds are wet and low,
There the trees of goat-peach grow,
With their branches small and smooth,
Glossy in their tender youth.
Joy it were to me, O tree,
Consciousness to want like thee.
Where the grounds are wet and low,
There the trees of goat-peach grow.
Soft and fragrant are their flowers,
Glossy from the vernal showers.
Joy it were to me, O tree,
Ties of home to want like thee.
Where the grounds are wet and low,
There the trees of goat-peach grow.
What delicious fruits they bear,
Glossy, soft, of beauty rare!
Joy it were to me, O tree,
Household cares to want like thee.
Codex Note
Some one, groaning under the oppression of the government, wishes he were an unconscious tree.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Sih Yéw Ch‘ang-Ts‘oo.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/143/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Sih Yéw Ch‘ang-Ts‘oo.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/143/.
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