II. v. 2.: LAMENTS AND WARNINGS DURING AN EVIL TIME. Though small be the turtle-dove, It will high in the welkin soar. My heart is wrung, as I muse On our sires in the days of yore. At the earliest dawn two forms* Haunt my soul, and I sleep no more. Sedate, shrewd men o’er their cups Are sober and self-restrained; More sottish from day to day Grow these witless and cloudy-brained. Give heed to decorum, all! Heaven’s gifts are not twice obtained. Wild beans that on commons grow Are the people’s common quest.† The mulberry-insect’s brood By the sphex is borne (to her nest).‡ Instruct, then, and train your sons; You will make them good as the best. Take note how the wagtail sings As she flutters from place to place.§ [224] The days of our life speed on, And the months are marching apace;— Up early, and late repose; So bring to your parents no disgrace. The green-beaks,* hovering round, Come pecking the grain in the yards. Alas for our needy and lone— Thought meet for prisons and wards! With handfuls of grain I divine Whether fortune aught better accords. Our humble, respectful men Are on tops of trees, as it were; Or, as peering into a gulf, Shrink nervously back with care; Or softly and fearfully tread As on ice that will scarcely bear.
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Re: 196. 小宛 - Xiao Wan
Date: 2021-04-20 02:53 am (UTC)Though small be the turtle-dove,
It will high in the welkin soar.
My heart is wrung, as I muse
On our sires in the days of yore.
At the earliest dawn two forms*
Haunt my soul, and I sleep no more.
Sedate, shrewd men o’er their cups
Are sober and self-restrained;
More sottish from day to day
Grow these witless and cloudy-brained.
Give heed to decorum, all!
Heaven’s gifts are not twice obtained.
Wild beans that on commons grow
Are the people’s common quest.†
The mulberry-insect’s brood
By the sphex is borne (to her nest).‡
Instruct, then, and train your sons;
You will make them good as the best.
Take note how the wagtail sings
As she flutters from place to place.§
[224]
The days of our life speed on,
And the months are marching apace;—
Up early, and late repose;
So bring to your parents no disgrace.
The green-beaks,* hovering round,
Come pecking the grain in the yards.
Alas for our needy and lone—
Thought meet for prisons and wards!
With handfuls of grain I divine
Whether fortune aught better accords.
Our humble, respectful men
Are on tops of trees, as it were;
Or, as peering into a gulf,
Shrink nervously back with care;
Or softly and fearfully tread
As on ice that will scarcely bear.
https://oll.libertyfund.org/title/confucius-the-shi-king-the-old-poetry-classic-of-the-chinese