History & Politics
The Wo Hing K‘e Yay
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part II, Book IV
All through the fields I travelled sad,
Th’ ailanthus foul my only shade,
Through our relationship I came,
Shelter to find with you and aid.
But me you show no wish to entertain ;—
Back to my State and clan I go again!
All through the fields I travelled sad,
And for my food the sheep’s-foot cooked.
Through our relationship, to you
For lodging for a time I looked.
But me you show no wish to entertain ;—
Back to my kindred now I go again !
All through the fields I went and tried
Hunger with pokeweed to appease.
I came to you; your love is cold;
And.your new mate you seek to please.
Grant that your heart her riches have not won,—
Her charms are new ; my relative’s are gone!
Codex Note
An officer, who had left the royal domain, and sought for protection in a State where he had affinities by marriage, relates his disappointment, and the unworthy cause of it.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Wo Hing K‘e Yay.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/183/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Wo Hing K‘e Yay.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/183/.
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