History & Politics
The Woo Tséang Ta Keu
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part II, Book VI
Push not the cart you stand behind ;—
You'll only raise the dust. Nor dwell
On your anxieties of mind ;—
You'll only make yourself unwell.
Push not the cart you stand behind ;—
The dust will only blind your view.
Dwell not on things that vex your mind ;—
‘You never thus can see them true.
Push not the cart you stand behind ;—
The dust will but becloud your eyes.
Heed not the troubles of your mind ;—
’T will weight you as you seek to rise.
Codex Note
Some officer, over-loaded in the king’s service, thinks it better to try and dismiss his troubles from his mind.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Woo Tséang Ta Keu.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/201/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Woo Tséang Ta Keu.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/201/.
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