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The Book of Poetry, tr. by James Legge, [1876], at sacred-texts.com


p. 275

II

The Wu Chiang Ta Ch‘ê; narrative. Some officer, overloaded in the king's service, thinks it better to try and dismiss his troubles from his mind.

1Push not the cart you stand behind;—
  You'll only raise the dust. Nor dwell
On your anxieties of mind;—
  You'll only make yourself unwell.

2Push not the cart you stand behind;—
  The dust will only blind your view.
Dwell not on things that vex your mind;—
  You never thus can see them true.

3Push not the cart you stand behind;—
  The dust will but becloud your eyes.
Heed not the troubles of your mind;—
  ’Twill weight you as you seek to rise.


Next: III. Hsiao Ming