Living
The Shun Che Pun-Pun
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part I, Book IV
How bold the quails together rush,
Hach fighting for his mate !
How strong the magpies, battling fierce
Upon the same debate !
This man, without a trait that’s good,
Is stained by vicious crime ;
Yet him as brother I regard :—
Alas ! woe worth the time!
How strong the magpies, battling fierce,
Each one to keep his mate !
How fierce the quails together rush,
Upon the same debate !
This woman, with no trait that’s good,
Is stained by vicious crime,
Yet her I hail as marchioness :—
Alas! woe worth the time !
Codex Note
Against Seuen Keang and Ch‘aou-peh, as worse than beasts.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Shun Che Pun-Pun.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/48/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Shun Che Pun-Pun.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/48/.
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