is the Rabbit Net of the sky[1];—But they only occupy their places.
In the south is the Sieve[2], But it is of no use to sift. In the north is the Ladle[3], But it lades out no liquor. In the south is the Sieve, Idly showing its mouth. In the north is the Ladle, Raising its handle in the west.
The Sixth Decade, or that of Pei Shan.
Ode 3, Stanzas 1, 4 and 5. The Hsiâo Ming.
An officer, kept long abroad on distant service, appeals to Heaven, deploring the hardships of his lot, and tenders good advice to his more fortunate friends at court.
O bright and high Heaven, Who enlightenest and rulest this lower world! I marched on this expedition to the west, As far as this wilderness of Khiû. From the first day of the second month, I have passed through the cold and the heat. My heart is sad; The poison (of my lot) is too bitter. I think of those (at court) in their offices, And my tears flow down like rain. Do I not wish to return? But I fear the net for crime.
Ah! ye gentlemen, Do not reckon on your rest
- ↑ 'The Rabbit Net' is the Hyades.
- ↑ 'The Sieve' is the name of one of the twenty-eight constellations of the zodiac,—part of Sagittarius.
- ↑ 'The Ladle' is the constellation next to 'the Sieve,' also part of Sagittarius.
east in the morning, thus "opening the brightness of the day;" and it is in the west in the evening, thus "prolonging the day." The author of the piece, however, evidently took Lucifer and Hesperus to be two stars.
