History & Politics
The Ts‘éen-Ts‘éen Che Shih
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part II, Book VIII
How high those frowning rocks arise !
With awe they fill the mind. go
Our way through streams, o’er mountains lies ;
Toilsome the march we find.
Hastward our expedition goes,
Nor has our chief one hour’s repose
Those frowning rocks the heights surmount,
And fill the mind with dread.
O’er hills, through streams, our steps we count ;—r
When shall our march be sped ?
Our warrior hastens on the track,
Nor thinks he of our drawing back.
Look at the swine, with legs all white,
Washed by the pools from stain !
The moon wades through the Hyads bright, F
Foretelling heavier rain.
He at whose word we eastward fare
No leisure has for other care.
Codex Note
Commemorating the hardships of a long and difficult expedition to the east, aggravated by great rains.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Ts‘éen-Ts‘éen Che Shih.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/227/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Ts‘éen-Ts‘éen Che Shih.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/227/.
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