THE GENEROUS NEPHEW
I escorted my uncle to Tsin,
Till the Wei we crossed on the way.
Then I gave as I left
For his carriage a gift
Four steeds, and each steed was a bay.
I escorted my uncle to Tsin,
And I thought of him much in my heart.
Pendant stones, and with them
Of fine jasper a gem,
I gave, and then saw him depart.
BOOK XII
The Odes of Ch‘in
THE CONTENTMENT OF A POOR RECLUSE
My only door some pieces of crossed wood,
Within it I can rest enjoy.
I drink the water wimpling from the spring;
Nor hunger can my peace destroy.
Purged from ambition's aims I say, "For fish,
We need not bream caught in the Ho;
Nor, to possess the sweets of love, require
To Ts‘e, to find a Keang, to go.