History & Politics
The Yu Ts‘aou
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part II, Book VII
Fishes there among the pondweed lie ;
From the bank their large heads we espy ;—
Fishes could not happier be.
Here in Haou resides our lord, the king ;
To him joy his festive pleasures bring.
Happy and at ease is he.
Fishes there among the pondweed glide;
From the bank their long tails are descried ;—
Fishes could not happier be.
Here in Haou resides the king, our lord ;
Festive pleasures joy to him afford.
Happy and at ease is he.
Fishes there among the pondweed live,
Shelter to them where the rushes give ;—
Fishes could not happier be.
Here in Haou the king, our lord, resides ;
Safe and tranquil ever here he bides.
Happy and at ease is he.
Codex Note
Praise of the king by the princes at some feast:—his quiet happiness in Haou.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Yu Ts‘aou.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/216/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Yu Ts‘aou.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/216/.
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