The Book of Poetry: Section III. The Decade of Min Yü Hsiao Tzŭ: IV. Hsiao Pi
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The Book of Poetry, tr. by James Legge, [1876]
p. 454
IV
The Hsiao Pi; narrative. King Chêng acknowledges that he had erred, and states his purpose to be careful in the future; he will guard against the slight beginnings of evil, and is penetrated with a sense of his own incompetences.
When of the past I think, myself I blame;
I'll guard in future ’gainst what caused me shame
I'll shun the wasp, nor do the foolish thing
By which I seemed to invite its painful sting.
It looked a wren, that I could hold unharmed;
It grew to a fierce bird, with talons armed!
Uneasy is my head which wears the crown,
And bitter trials press me sorely down.
Next: V. Tsai Shan