Living

The Welcome of Guests

by Shi Jing (The Book of Songs) poems c. 1000–600 BC; compilation traditionally ascribed to Confucius

Translated by William Jennings (1891) · From The Shi King (Jennings, 1891), Part II, Book ii

Living

Good fish men find in the South,
And shoals are caught by the net. —
The worthy master hath wine;
Good guests, then feast with him, all well met!

Good fish men find in the South,
And shoals are caught in the creel. —
The worthy master hath wine;
Good guests, enjoy then the cheering meal!

The trees bend low in the South;
Sweet gourds all over them wind. —
The worthy master hath wine;
Good guests, then feast, with a gladsome mind.

The doves were scattered in flight,
Then all together they drew. —
The worthy master hath wine;
Good guests, then feast, and the feast renew!

MLA

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Welcome of Guests.” Translated by William Jennings. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/404/.

Chicago

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Welcome of Guests.” Translated by William Jennings. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/404/.

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