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


p. 73

X

The Mu Kua; metaphorical. Small gifts of kindness should be responded to with greater; while friendship is more than any gift.

1A tree gourd they gave me in compliment,
  And I in return gave a lovely chü gem,
’Twas not in return for the compliment;—
  I wished to make lasting my friendship with them.

2A peach they presented in compliment,
  And I in return gave a lovely yao gem.
’Twas not in return for the compliment;—
  I wished to make lasting my friendship with them.

3A plum they presented in compliment,
  And I in return gave a lovely ch‘i stone.
’Twas not in return for the compliment;—
  Our friendship to knit was my motive alone.


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