IV. Hsiao Pi
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The Book of Poetry, tr. by James Legge, [1876], at sacred-texts.com
p. 454
IV
The Hsiao Pi; narrative. King ChĆŖng 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 āgainst 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.
I'll guard in future āgainst 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.
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