The Book of Poetry: Book III. The Odes of P‘ei: XII. Mao Ch‘iu
The Book of Poetry, tr. by James Legge, [1876]
2 They rest and do not stir;—
Do they allies expect?
Wherefore protract the time?
Why us so much neglect?
Some reason they could surely plead
For conduct, strange in this our need. p. 40
3 In chariots of the west,
Hither from danger borne,
In Wei we live depressed,
Our fox furs frayed and worn.
Ye nobles, uncles, sooth to say,
For us no sympathy display.
4 A remnant small of Li,
Driven from our proper home;
Children dispersed, we hoped
That help from Wei would come.
Alas! though grand the robes you wear,
You stop your ears against our prayer.