The Wisdom of Confucius Part 28

A WOMAN SCORNING HER LOVER

O dear! that artful boy Refuses me a word!

But, Sir, I shall enjoy My food, though you're absurd!

O dear! that artful boy My table will not share!

But, Sir, I shall enjoy My rest, though you're not there!

A LADY MOURNS THE ABSENCE OF HER STUDENT LOVER

You student, with the collar blue, Long pines my heart with anxious pain.

Although I do not go to you, Why from all word do you refrain?

O you, with girdle strings of blue, My thoughts to you forever roam!

Although I do not go to you, Yet why to me should you not come?

How reckless you, how light and wild, There by the tower upon the wall!

One day, from sight of you exiled, As long as three long months I call.

BOOK VIII

_The Odes of Ts'e_

A WIFE URGING HER HUSBAND TO ACTION

His lady to the marquis says, "The c.o.c.k has crowed; 'tis late.

Get up, my lord, and haste to court.

'Tis full; for you they wait."

She did not hear the c.o.c.k's shrill sound, Only the blueflies buzzing round.

Again she wakes him with the words, "The east, my lord, is bright.

A crowded court your presence seeks; Get up and hail the light."

'Twas not the dawning light which shone, But that which by the moon was thrown.

He sleeping still, once more she says, "The flies are buzzing loud.

To lie and dream here by your side Were pleasant, but the crowd Of officers will soon retire; Draw not on you and me their ire!"

THE FOLLY OF USELESS EFFORT

The weeds will but the ranker grow, If fields too large you seek to till.

To try to gain men far away With grief your toiling heart will fill.

If fields too large you seek to till, The weeds will only rise more strong.

To try to gain men far away Will but your heart's distress prolong.

Things grow the best when to themselves Left, and to nature's vigor rare.

How young and tender is the child, With his twin tufts of falling hair!

But when you him ere long behold, That child shall cap of manhood wear!

THE PRINCE OF LOO

A grand man is the prince of Loo, With person large and high.

Lofty his front and suited to The fine glance of his eye!

Swift are his feet. In archery What man with him can vie?

With all these goodly qualities, We see him and we sigh!

Renowned through all the land is he, The nephew of our lord.

With clear and lovely eyes, his grace May not be told by word.

All day at target practice, He'll never miss the bird.

Such is the prince of Loo, and yet With grief for him we're stirred!

All grace and beauty he displays, High forehead and eyes bright.

And dancing choice! His arrows all The target hit aright.

Straight through they go, and every one Lights on the self-same spot.

Rebellion he could well withstand, And yet we mourn his lot!

BOOK IX

_The Odes of Wei_

ON THE MISGOVERNMENT OF THE STATE

A fruit, small as the garden peach, May still be used for food.

A State, though poor as ours, might thrive, If but its rule were good.

Our rule is bad, our State is sad, With mournful heart I grieve.

All can from instrument and voice My mood of mind perceive.

Who know me not, with scornful thought, Deem me a scholar proud.

"Those men are right," they fiercely say, "What mean your words so loud?"

Deep in my heart my sorrows lie, And none the cause may know.

How should they know who never try To learn whence comes our woe?

The garden jujube, although small, May still be used for food.

A State, though poor as ours, might thrive, If but its rule were good.

Our rule is bad, our State is sad, With mournful heart I grieve.

Methinks I'll wander through the land, My misery to relieve.

Who know me not, with scornful thought, Deem that wild views I hold.

"Those men are right," they fiercely say, "What mean your words so bold?"

Deep in my heart my sorrows lie, And none the cause may know.

How can they know, who never try To learn whence comes our woe?