History & Politics
The Tung Fang We Ming
Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part I, Book VIII
I was putting my clothes on upside down,
Before the eastern sky was clear.
I was putting my clothes on upside down,
When a call to the court came here.
I was putting my clothes on upside down,
Ere showed the east the rising flame.
I was putting my clothes on upside down,
When from the court an order came.
On garden fence, made but of willow wands,
H’en reckless fellows look with fear.
Our prince can’t tell the night from dawn ;—
Too soon, or late, his calls appear !
Codex Note
The irregularity and disorder of the court of Ts‘e; as seen especially in the time of giving the morning audience.
Cite this poem
MLA
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Tung Fang We Ming.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/96/.
Chicago
Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Tung Fang We Ming.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/96/.
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