Book X. The Odes Of T'ang. Xii. Ts'ai Ling

*
"The Book of Poetry", tr. by James Legge, [1876],

Xii

The "Ts'ai Ling;" metaphorical. Against giving ear to slanderers.

1When told to Shou-yang's top to go,

The "ling" plants there to take,

The speaker false at once you'd know,

Nor heed the words he spake. p. 138

And so, when men their stories feign,

To credit them be slow.

Put them aside, put them aside;

Belief should slowly grow.

'Tis thus the stories told by men

Subside, nor farther go.

2When told to search round Shou-yang's base,

Sow thistles there to find,

The search you'd think a hopeless case,

Nor would the counsel mind.

And so, when men their stories feign,

Do not approve in haste.

Put them aside, put them aside;

Assent should be repressed.

'Tis thus the stories told by men

Soon unregarded rest.

3When told on th' east of Shou-yang hill

For mustard plants to try,

You'd know the quest would speed but ill,

And let the words pass by.

And so, when men their stories feign,

No hearing to them lend.

Put them aside, put them aside,

Your faith loth to extend.

'Tis thus the stories told by men

Come shortly to an end.