Book II. The Odes of Shao and the South: V. Kan T‘ang

V The Kan T‘ang; narrative. The love of the people for the memory of the duke of Shao makes them love the trees beneath which he had rested. 1O fell not that sweet pear tree! See how its branches spread. Spoil not its shade, For Shao's chief laid Beneath it his weary head. 2O clip not that sweet pear tree! Each twig and leaflet spare. ’Tis sacred now, Since the lord of Shao, When weary, rested him there. 3O touch not that sweet pear tree! Bend not a twig of it now. There long ago, As the stories show, Oft halted the chief of Shao.