25 – THE WU WANG HEXAGRAM
Lingam of Fire
WU WANG: Sincerity and prudence; splendid
if in these matters thou hast not offended.
Free from all insincerity, press on!
Good going, if thou reap with never a plough!
Yet - innocence oft bears guilt's branded brow.
Firmness, correctness; these bid woe begone.
The good man sick? He needs no doctor-don.
Time's come when silence's book is best to con.
26 – THE TA KHU HEXAGRAM
Earth of Lingam
TA KHU: The great accumulation; quit
thy private virtue when state needeth it.
Peril; move not, but look within thine heart.
Then, with due care, be ready for the start.
Now, with good horse, well trained, play hard thy part!
Block even the young bull's horns! He's safer so.
Castrate the boar - its teeth will gently show.
Then rule the stars - good fortune aid thine art!
27 – THE I HEXAGRAM
Earth of Fire
I: Nourishment; the matter and the mode,
demand that thought should indicate the road.
Suffice thyself; else - how thy jaw shall quiver!
Look neither down nor up, the sages say.
Ill nourished, action merely means affray.
But lo! Below thee bleats the tiger's prey.
Improper method? Firm and cautious stay!
But thou, who nurturest all, mayst cross the river.
28 – THE TA KWO HEXAGRAM
Water of Air
TA KWO: A weakened beam is under stress.
To move in any manner spells success.
Place mats for things set down; then faults are few.
Dead willow shoots; old man young wife well wooing.
The beam is weak; fate's busy with the brewing!
The beam curves up - loyalty did the glueing.
Dead willow flowers; old wife young men pursuing!
Bold wader, thine head's wet - but thou wast true!
29 – THE KHAN HEXAGRAM
Moon of Moon
KHAN: Defile, cavern, pit: In times of danger
make not sincerity of act a stranger.
Gorge within gorge, then cavern - do not go!
Involve not deeplier thy dangerous case!
Peril all round - Be still's the luckiest show!
Instructing king's, most humble caution show!
Be patient, time brings order with grave pace.
Bound and beset, bewildered too? What woe!
30 – THE LI HEXAGRAM
Sun of Sun
LI: Sun; attachment. Be thy way docile
as well as firm - then see good fortune smile.
Confused at start? Let reverence befriend.
Here's fortune - rightly placed and clothed in yellow.
Accept thy ills with cheer or worse attend.
Abruptness - fie! Thus fire and death descend.
Luck comes to aid thee, melancholy fellow!
In victory be just - a noble end.
31 – THE HSIEN HEXAGRAM
Water of Earth
HSIEN: Mutual influence; good fortune bless
Man's firm correctness with the tide, success.
Would'st walk? To move thy toes alone is a flaw;
But calves? 'Twere surely better to withdraw.
Thigh's too? Cling close to leaders? Thou wilt
rue it.
Insited plans? Only thy friends pursue it.
But shrug thy shoulders! God shall gladly view it.
The wag not thy toungue, nor drop thy jaw!
32 – THE HANG HEXAGRAM
Fire of Air
HANG: By persistance are great empires built.
There is no law beyond do what thou wilt,
Lust of result mars will in every way;
But steadfast purpose spans the vast abysm.
Maintain thy virtue - heed not criticism!
Seek not reward; thy work be its own chris,
Passion love wins, where active loses, fray;
And violent efforts end in swift decay.
Next page: Book of Changes scriptures 33-40
