Three Gifts : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 43 "THREE GIFTS" A royal gourd was given me, And in exchange an emerald I gave, No mere return for courtesy, But that our friendship might outlast the grave. A princely peach was given me, And in exchange a ruby gem I gave, No mere exchange...
The Princes : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 38 "THE PRINCES" They gather the beans, gather the beans, In their baskets square and round: The princes all are coming to court, And where shall their gifts be found? The coaches of state and their teams go by, What more for my lords have I...
The Deserted Wife : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 15 "THE DESERTED WIFE" You came--a simple lad In dark blue cotton clad, To barter serge for silken wear; But not for silk you dallied there. Ah! was it not for me Who led you through the K'e, Who guided you To far Tun-K'ew? "It is not I who...
Unavailing : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 56 "UNAVAILING" He stabs me with a scornful smile. Winds are wailing at the door. Scornful words and whispers vile, Ye have thrust me to the core. Whirling dust the northwind blows. Surely he will seek his mate! But he neither comes nor goes...
On The Banks Of Ho : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 45 "ON THE BANKS OF HO" The little boat of cypress rocks, Rocks in the midst of Ho; He was my lord, whose long dark locks Divided in their downward flow. Till death betide, His bride, I'll wed no other. O Heaven! O mother! Will you not...
The Slanderers : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 22 "THE SLANDERERS" The blue flies buzz upon the wing, From fence to fence they wander; O happy King! O courteous King! Give heed to no man's slander. The noisy blue flies rumble round, Upon the gum-trees lighting; A tongue of evil hath no bound...
Introduction : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 5 "INTRODUCTION" "While reading the works of Confucius, I have always fancied I could see the man as he was in life, and, when I went to Shantung, I actually beheld his carriage, his robes, and the material parts of his ceremonial usages. There...
Good King Wu : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 50 "GOOD KING WU" In the city of Haou he built his hall, With circling waters round the wall: From north to south, from east to west There was never a tongue but called him blest. Great King Wu was a monarch true. With divination deep, I trow...
Untitled : * This selection of poems from the Chinese Book of Odes appeared in the Wisdom of the East series. The Book of Odes, or Shih Ching, is one of the Five Classics from ancient China. A complete translation by Legge is also available at this site. Title Page Table of Contents Editorial Note...
Love And The Magistrate : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 23 "LOVE AND THE MAGISTRATE" When the great carriage rumbles by, I see him in his robes of state, Calm, pitiless, sedate. Man of the cold far-piercing eye, O but I long for you, Right for you, wrong for you, Naught could keep us apart, But...
Brave Thoughts : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 44 "BRAVE THOUGHTS" Green is the upper robe, Green with a yellow lining; My sorrow none may probe, Nor can I cease repining. Green is the upper robe, The lower garb is yellow; My sorrow none may probe, Nor any season mellow. The silk w...
The Happy Man : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 33 "THE HAPPY MAN" He has perched in the valley with pines over-grown, This fellow so stout and so merry and free; He sleeps and he talks and he wanders alone, And none are so true to their pleasures as he. He has builded his hut in the bend...
The Ephemerae : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 41 "THE EPHEMERAE" In black and yellow are clad The wings of the ephemerae; But my heart is sad, is sad, Because they will not stay with me. Many colours adorn The robes of the ephemerae; But my heart's forlorn, forlorn, Because they will not...
Sorrow : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 46 "SORROW" She sought her native land again. The swallow takes its ragged flight. We went together day and night, Till parting drew her from my sight And the tears fell down like rain. She went her native land to seek. Now up, now down...
Princely Visitors : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 35 "PRINCELY VISITORS" White birds went over the West-- Young egrets, over the marshlands flying, My Lords came visiting, ermine-dressed, With the birds in their elegant beauty vieing. In their States they have high renown, Of the city of Chow...
Faint Heart : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 51 "FAINT HEART" I pray you, dear, My little hamlet leave, Nor break my willow-boughs; 'Tis not that I should grieve, But I fear my sire to rouse. Love pleads with passion disarrayed,-- "A sire's commands must be obeyed." I pray you, dear, Leap...
The Straggler : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 31 "THE STRAGGLER" There is that little oriole At rest where the mound doth rise; Oh, but the way is long, Long that before me lies. There is no rest for me, None for my tired feet; Give me to drink and eat, Do what is best for me. Order...
Advertisements : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 58 The following advertisements appeared at the end of the original book. They are included for completeness. THE ORIENT LIBRARY THE WISDOM OF THE EAST SERIES EDITED BY L. CRANMER-BYNG AND DR. S. A. KAPADIA The object of the Editors of this...
Prayer Of Ching, Ii : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 26 "II" "THE PRAYER OF THE EMPEROR CHING" Even as a little helpless child am I, On whom hath fallen the perplexed affairs Of this unsettled state. High loneliness And sorrow are my portion. Thou great Father, Thou kingly pattern of parental awe...
City Of Chow : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 24 "CITY OF CHOW" Cold from the spring the waters pass Over the waving pampas grass. All night long in dream I lie, Ah me! ah me! to awake and sigh-- Sigh for the City of Chow. Cold from the spring the rising flood Covers the tangled...
Editorial Note : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 4 EDITORIAL NOTE The object of the editors of this series is a very definite one. They desire above all things that, in their humble way, these books shall be the ambassadors of good-will and understanding between East and West, the old world...
A Wife's Memories : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 37 "A WIFE'S MEMORIES" With taper rod of tall bamboo You angle in the K'e, Do I not go by dream to you Who cannot come to me? To left the Ts'euen waters roam, The K'e flows on to right, Ah! never gleams the newer home Like that lost home...
The Householders Lament : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 55 "THE HOUSEHOLDER'S LAMENT" The marshland holds the carambola tree; Soft and pliant its branches be. With its careless beauty and tender sheen, The life of a tree is the life for me. The marshland rears the carambola tree; All purple and red...
Through Eastern Gates : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 30 "THROUGH EASTERN GATES" Through eastern gates I wandered far, Where cloud-like beauties thronged the way; Although like clouds their faces are, My thoughts among them would not stay. She in rough silk and kerchief blue Gave me the only joy I...
Maytime : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 28 "MAYTIME" Deep in the grass there lies a dead gazelle, The tall white grass enwraps her where she fell. With sweet thoughts natural to spring, A pretty girl goes wandering With lover that would lead astray. The little dwarf oaks hide a leafy...
Without Her : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 52 "WITHOUT HER" The moon comes forth in her brightness; Fair as the moon was she, That bright and beautiful lady Who lit the night for me. Would that I saw her now, With the stars around her brow. The moon comes forth in her splendour; Fair...
The Nightlong Tryst : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 36 "THE NIGHTLONG TRYST" Down by the eastern gate The willow wood's astir; From dusk to dawn I wait Through the soundless hours for her, Till the morning star is shining. Down by the eastern gate The willow-thicket pales; From dusk to dawn I...
Blue Collar : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 39 "BLUE COLLAR" O You with the collar of blue, My heart is longing for you. Though to call you I am not free, Wherefore not send to me? O you with the girdle of blue, Long, long do I think of you. Though to seek you I am not free, Wherefore not...
Bulwarks Of Empire : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 47 "BULWARKS OF EMPIRE" Good men are bulwarks; while the multitudes Are walls that ring the land; great states are screens; Each family a buttress; the pursuit Of righteousness secures repose; like towers Of strong defence the royal kinsmen...
The Pear Tree : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 34 "THE PEAR-TREE" This shade-bestowing pear-tree, thou Hurt not, nor lay its leafage low; Beneath it slept the Duke of Shaou. This shade-bestowing pear-tree, thou Hurt not, nor break one leafy bough; Beneath it stayed the Duke of Shaou. This...
Before The Ford : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 49 "BEFORE THE FORD" If your heart be kind and true, I will ford the stream with you. If your fickle thoughts go straying, Come with me no more a-maying. Oh, you silly, silly swain! Better men than you remain. If you love me, dear my lord, Bid...
The Tower Of Wan : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 20 "THE TOWER OF WN" Wn drew a tower of bold ascent, A tower of lofty size. In crowds the zealous builders went, The walls began to rise. "Haste not," said he, when first the work began; But all the people were as sons of Wn. The King w...
The Bride Cometh : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 48 "THE BRIDE COMETH" The turtle-dove dwells in the magpie's nest. One cometh as a bride to be caressed; A hundred carriages have gone in quest. "The magpie's home the young dove hath possessed". This lady cometh as a life-long guest; A hundred...
King's Messenger : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 18 "KING'S MESSENGER" Galloping, galloping, gallant steed; Six reins slackened and dull with sweat, Galloping, galloping still we speed, Seeking, counselling, onward set. Galloping, galloping, piebald steed; Six reins, silken reins, start...
A Friend Forgotten : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 40 "A FRIEND FORGOTTEN" The winds blow soft from the East, But the storm welters by. In the day of disaster and fear, It was all you and I. In the hour of your pride You have cast me aside. The bland winds blown from the East Tornadoes pursue...
The Forest Lover : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 53 "THE FOREST LOVER" Ken-Kwan the axles cried, As I drove to claim my bride. Hunger for her beauty presses, I am parched for her caresses; Though we lack good company, We shall revel--I and she. Dense the forest in the plain, Where...
Title Page : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 1 p. 2 The Wisdom Of The East Series Edited By L. CRANMER-BYNG Dr. S. A. KAPADIA THE CLASSICS OF CONFUCIUS BOOK OF ODES (SHI-KING) BY L. CRANMER-BYNG Author of "The Never-Ending Wrong" and other renderings from the Chinese LONDON JOHN MURRAY...
Grey Dawns And Red : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 57 "GREY DAWNS AND RED" Cold is the rain and cold the wind, The cock gives dawn shrill greeting; But a shadow steals across the blind, And oh! my heart is beating. The rain drives down, the wind tears past, The cock shrills through the gloaming;...
Flight : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 19 "FLIGHT" Cold and keen the north wind blows, Silent falls the shroud of snows. You who gave me your heart Let us join hands and depart! Is this a time for delay? Now, while we may, Let us away. Wailingly the north wind goes, Wailing through...
Drifting : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 21 "DRIFTING" Two youths into their boats descend, Whose shadows on the waters sway; Ah! light hearts bravely sped away, My heavy heart forbodes the end. Two youths into their boats descend, Two lives go drifting far from me; Between the willow...
Happy In Haou : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 42 "HAPPY IN HAOU" Fishes are there, by the score, I trow, Their large heads sleepily showing; The King is here, in the city of Haou, At ease while the wine-cup's flowing. Fishes are there in the weeds enow, Their long tails lazily swaying;...
Prayer Of Ching, I : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 25 "I" "THE PRAYER OF THE EMPEROR CHING" Let me be reverent, be reverent, Even as the way of Heaven is evident, And its appointment easy is to mar. Let me not say, "It is too high above," Above us and below us doth it move, And daily watches...
Lady Of The Lagoon : * "The Book of Odes", by L. Cranmer-Byng, [1908], p. 29 "LADY OF THE LAGOON" By the shores of that lagoon, Where the water-lily lies, Where the tall valerians rise Slender as the crescent moon, Goes Ha NanAh, Ha Nan, Sleep brings me no relief: My heart is full of grief. By the shores of th...
