Confucius Poems

Yellow now is all the grass;
All the days in marching pass.
On the move is every man;
Hard work, far and near, they plan.
...

Where grow the willows near the eastern gate,
And 'neath their leafy shade we could recline,
She said at evening she would me await,
...

The wild geese fly the bushy oaks around,
With clamor loud. _Suh-suh_ their wings resound,
As for their feet poor resting-place is found.
...

My only door some pieces of crossed wood,
Within it I can rest enjoy.
I drink the water wimpling from the spring;
...

List to the thunder and roll of the drum!
See how we spring and brandish the dart!
Some raise Ts'aou's walls; some do field work at home;
...

In the old capital they stood,
With yellow fox-furs plain,
Their manners all correct and good,
Speech free from vulgar stain.
...

In hewing an axe-shaft, how must you act?
Another axe take, or you'll never succeed.
In taking a wife, be sure 'tis a fact,
...

A grand man is the prince of Loo,
With person large and high.
Lofty his front and suited to
The fine glance of his eye!
...

Heaven shields and sets thee fast.
It round thee fair has cast
Thy virtue pure.
...

We gather and gather the plantains;
Come gather them anyhow.
Yes, gather and gather the plantains,
And here we have got them now.
...