Section III. The Decade of Min Yü Hsiao Tzŭ: IV. Hsiao Pi

IV The Hsiao Pi; narrative. King Chêng acknowledges that he had erred, and states his purpose to be careful in the future; he will guard against the slight beginnings of evil, and is penetrated with a sense of his own incompetences. When of the past I think, myself I blame; I'll guard in future ’gainst what caused me shame I'll shun the wasp, nor do the foolish thing By which I seemed to invite its painful sting. It looked a wren, that I could hold unharmed; It grew to a fierce bird, with talons armed! Uneasy is my head which wears the crown, And bitter trials press me sorely down.