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The Book of Poetry, tr. by James Legge, [1876], at sacred-texts.com


VII

The Hu Yeh; narrative. Where the provisions are most frugal, all the rules of polite intercourse may yet be preserved.

1A few gourd leaves that waved about
  Cut down and boiled;—the feast how spare! p. 327
But the good host his spirits takes,
  Pours out a cup, and proves them rare.

2A single rabbit on the mat,
  Or baked, or roast:—how small the feast!
But the good host his spirits takes,
  And fills the cup of every guest.

3A single rabbit on the mat,
  Roasted or broiled:—how poor the meal!
But the guests from the spirit vase
  Fill their host's cup, and drink his weal.

4A single rabbit on the mat,
  Roasted or baked:—no feast we think!
But from the spirit vase they take,
  Both host and guests, and joyous drink.


Next: VIII. Chien Chien Chih Shih