Gems of Chinese Literature/Ch'ü P'ing-Consulting the Oracle

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Gems of Chinese Literature
translated by Herbert Allen Giles

Consulting the Oracle by Ch‘ü P‘ing

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CH‘Ü-P‘ING.

4th century b.c.

[A famous poet and minister of one of the feudal princes. Being unjustly dismissed from favour, he committed suicide by drowning, and his death gave rise to an annual spring festival, known as the Dragonboat Festival, at which an imaginary search for his body is made in every available stream of water throughout the Eighteen Provinces.]

1520882Gems of Chinese Literature — Consulting the OracleHerbert Allen GilesCh‘ü P‘ing

THREE years had elapsed since Ch‘ü-p‘ing^[1] was dismissed from office, and still he was unable to obtain an audience of his prince. His fervent loyalty had been intercepted by the tongue of slander. He was broken in spirit and knew not whither to direct his steps. In his doubt he repaired to the Chief Augur and asked for a response. The Chief Augur thereupon arranged the divining-grass and wiped the tortoise-shell, saying, “What, sir, are the points on which you desire to be enlightened?”

“Tell me,” cried Ch‘ü-p‘ing, “whether I should steadily pursue the path of truth and loyalty, or follow in the wake of a corrupt generation. Should I work in the fields with spade and hoe, or seek advancement in the retinue of a grandee? Should I court danger by outspoken words, or fawn in false tones upon the rich and great? Should I rest content in the cultivation of virtue, or practise the art of wheedling women in order to secure success? Should I be pure and clean-handed in my rectitude, or an oily-mouthed, slippery, time-serving sycophant? Should I hold on my course like an impetuous charger, or oscillate, with the indecision of of a duck in a pool, to and fro as self-interest commands? Should I yoke myself a fellow in the shafts with Bucephalus, or shamble along by the side of Rozinante? Should I vie with the wild goose in soaring to heaven, or scramble for food on a dunghill with hens? Of these alternatives I would know which to choose. The age is muddy and will not be made clean. The wing of the cicada outweighs a thousand pounds. The priceless goblet is set aside for the delf cup. Flatterers fill high places: men of worth are ignored. Alas! who is there that knows my worth?”

The Chief Augur gathered up his divining apparatus and saluted Ch'ü-p'ing, saying, “A foot is oft-times too short; an inch, too long. The implements of my art are not adequate to your requirements. Think for yourself, and translate your thoughts into action. The divining-grass and the tortoise-shell would avail you naught.”

↑ This use of the third person is common in Chinese Literature.

[1] This use of the third person is common in Chinese Literature.

[1]