The book of odes and hymns – part 36

SHI WEI

Reduced! Reduced!

Why not return?

If it were not for your sake, O prince,

How should we be thus exposed to the dew?

Reduced! Reduced!

Why not return?

If it were not for your person, O prince,

How should we be here in the mire?

shì wēi  

式微 

shì wēi shì wēi 、hú bú guī 。

式微式微、胡不歸。

wēi jūn zhī gù 、hú wéi hū zhōng lù 。

微君之故、胡為乎中露。

shì wēi shì wēi 、hú bú guī 。

式微式微、胡不歸。

wēi jūn zhī gōng 、hú wéi hū ní zhōng 。

微君之躬、胡為乎泥中。