Book IX. The Odes of Wei: III. Yüan Yu T‘ao

III The Yüan Yu T‘ao; allusive. An officer tells his grief because of the misgovernment of the state, and how he was misunderstood. 1A 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?" p. 119 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? 2The 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?