History & Politics
The Sewen
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part I, Book VIII
“How agile you are!” ’T'was thus that I spoke,
What time near to Naou together we drew.
Two boars three years old from cover then broke,
And we in our chariots after them flew.
The chase being over, you said with a bow,
“If agile am I, as active art thou!”
“How fine is your skill!” So said I to you;
’Twas when near to Naou we met on the way.
That moment two males attracted our view,
And at them we dashed, to make them our prey.
The chase being over, you said with a bow,
“If skilful am I, not less so art thou!”
“How you know your art!” I said to you then,
When south of mount Naou together we came.
That moment two wolves came under our ken,
And hotly we drove, well pleased with the game.
The chase being over, you said with a bow,
“If I know my art, as artful art thou!”
Codex Note
Frivolous and vainglorious compliments interchanged by the hunters of Ts‘e.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Sewen.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/93/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Sewen.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/93/.
Read this poem with the Codex →