The Wisdom of Confucius with Critical and Biographical Sketches · Confucius
LAMENTING THE ABSENCE OF A CHERISHED FRIEND
Though small my basket, all my toil Filled it with mouse-ears but in part. I set it on the path, and sighed For the dear master of my heart. My steeds, o'er-tasked, their progress stayed, When midway up that rocky height. Give me a cup from that gilt vase-- When shall this longing end in sight? To mount that lofty ridge I drove, Until my steeds all changed their hue. A cup from that rhinoceros's horn May help my longing to subdue. Striving to reach that flat-topped hill, My steeds, worn out, relaxed their strain; My driver also sank oppressed:-- I'll never see my lord again! CELEBRATING THE GOODNESS OF THE DESCENDANTS OF KING WAN As the feet of the _lin_, which avoid each living thing, So our prince's noble sons no harm to men will bring. They are the _lin_! As the front of the _lin_, never forward thrust in wrath, So our prince's noble grandsons of love tread the path. They are the _lin_! As the horn of the _lin_, flesh-tipped, no wound to give, So our prince's noble kindred kindly with all live. They are the _lin_! [NOTE.--The "lin" is the female of "K[']e"--a fabulous animal--the symbol of all goodness and benevolence; having the body of a deer, the tail of an ox, the hoofs of a horse, one horn, the scales of a fish, etc. Its feet do not tread on any living thing--not even on live grass; it does not butt with its forehead; and the end of its horn is covered with flesh--to show that, while able for war, it wills to have peace. The "lin" was supposed to appear inaugurating a golden age, but the poet finds a better auspice of that in the character of Wan's family and kindred.]
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.