Book III. The Odes of P‘ei: XIII. Chien Hsi

XIII The Chien Hsi; narrative and allusive. Half in scorn, half in sorrow, an officer of Wei tells of the mean services in which he was employed. 1With mind indifferent, things I easy take. In every dance I prompt appearance make:— Then, when the sun is at his topmost height; There, in the place that courts the public sight. p. 41 2With figure large I in the courtyard dance. And the duke smiles, when he beholds me prance. A tiger's strength I have; the steeds swift bound; The reins as ribbons in my hands are found. 3See how I hold the flute in my left hand; In right the pheasant's plume, waved like a wand; With visage red, where rouge you think to trace, While the duke pleased, sends down the cup of grace! 4Hazels on hills; the ling in meadow damp;— Each has its place, while I'm a slighted scamp. My thoughts go back to th’ early days of Chou, And muse upon its chiefs, not equaled now. O noble chiefs, who then the west adorned, Would ye have thus neglected me and scorned?