History & Politics
The Séaou Pe
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part IV, Book I
When of the past I think, myself I blame ;
I’ll guard in future ’gainst what caused me shame
I’ll shun the wasp, nor do the foolish thing
By which I seemed to invite its painful sting.
It looked a wren, that I could hold unharmed ;
It grew to a fierce bird, with talons armed !
Uneasy is my head which wears the crown,
And bitter trials press me sorely down.
Codex Note
King Ching acknowledges that he had erred, and states his purpose to be careful in the future; he will guard against the slight beginnings of evil, and is penetrated with a sense of his own incompetences.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Séaou Pe.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/284/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Séaou Pe.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/284/.
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