I. Kao Ch‘iu
Book XIII. The Odes of Kuei
I
The Kao Ch‘iu; narrative. Some officer of Kuei laments over the frivolous character of his ruler, fond of displaying his robes, instead of attending to the duties of government.
1In lamb's-fur robe you lounge about,
Hold court in fox fur clad.
Such habits wake my anxious thought;—
My weary heart is sad.
When thus you slight each rule of dress,
Must not your rule be bad?
Hold court in fox fur clad.
Such habits wake my anxious thought;—
My weary heart is sad.
When thus you slight each rule of dress,
Must not your rule be bad?
2Aimless you roam in lamb's-fur robe,
In fox fur grace the hall. p. 160
Such habits wake my anxious thought,
And fill my heart with gall.
When thus you slight the laws of dress,
You'll heed no laws at all.
3Your glossy lamb's fur in the sun
Gleams as with ointment's sheen.
’Tis this that wakes my anxious thought,
My heart's core pierces keen.
That thus you slight the laws of dress,
Is sorry sign I ween.