History & Politics

The Tsze E

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

Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part I, Book VII

History & Politics

The black robes well your form befit ;
When they are worn we'll make you new.
Now for your court! oh! there we’ll sit,
And watch how you your duties do.
And when we to our homes repair,
We’ll send to you our richest fare,
Such is the love to you we bear !!

Those robes well with your virtue match ;
When they are worn we'll make you new.
Now for your court! There will we watch,
Well pleased, how you your duties do.
And when we to our homes repair,
We’ll send to you our richest fare,
Such is the love to you we bear!

Those robes your character beseem ;
When they are worn we’ll make you new.
Now for your court! oh! there we deem
It pleasure great your form to view.
And when we to our homes repair,
We’ll send to you our richest fare,
Such is the love to you we bear!

✦ ✦ ✦

The people of the capital express their admiration of, and regard for, duke Woo of Ch‘ing.

MLA

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Tsze E.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/72/.

Chicago

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Tsze E.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/72/.

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