Sacred Books of the East/Volume 3/The Shih/Lessons from the States/Book 6/Ode 9

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Sacred Books of the East, Vol. III, The Shih King
translated by James Legge
Lessons from the States, Book VI, Ode 9: The Tâ Kü, Stanzas 1 and 3
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3754587Sacred Books of the East, Vol. III, The Shih King — Lessons from the States, Book VI, Ode 9: The Tâ Kü, Stanzas 1 and 3James Legge
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Ode 9, Stanzas 1 and 3. The Tâ Kü.

A lady excuses herself for not flying to her lover by her fear of a severe and virtuous magistrate, and swears to his that she is sincere in her attachment to him.

His great carriage rolls along,
And his robes of rank glitter like the young sedge.
Do I not think of you?
But I am afraid of this officer, and dare not (fly to you).

While living we may have to occupy different apartments;
But, when dead, we shall share the same grave.
If you say that I am not sincere,
By the bright sun I swear that I am[1].

  1. ↑ In the 'Complete Digest' this oath is expanded in the following way:—'These words are from my heart. If you think that they are not sincere, there is (a Power) above, like the bright sun, observing me;—how should my words not be sincere?'
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