Living
The Muh Kwa
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part I, Book V
A tree-gourd they gave me in compliment,
And I in return gave a lovely keu-gem.
’Twas not in return for the compliment ;—
I wished to make lasting my friendship with them.
A peach they presented in compliment,
And I in return gave a lovely yaou-gem.
’Twas not in return for the compliment ;—
I wished to make lasting my friendship with them.
A plum they presented in compliment,
And I in return gave a lovely kew-stone.
Twas not in return for the compliment ;—
Our friendship to knit was my motive alone.
Codex Note
Small gifts of kindness should be responded to with greater; while friendship is more than any gift.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Muh Kwa.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/63/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Muh Kwa.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/63/.
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