49 – THE KO HEXAGRAM
Water of Sun
KO: Change; men doubt until their dullness sees
the change wisdom can foretell with ease.
At first; though art bound with strips of yellow hide.
Wait then a little, time's a friend to thee.
Haste may wreck all; discuss thy plans untried.
First gain men's confidence; then saddle and ride!
Swift as a tiger - with the Yi for a guide!
Confirm thy change with firm sincerity.
50 – THE TING HEXAGRAM
Sun of Air
TING: Cauldron; firm its auspice we may guess,
realization, progress, and success.
Upset the foul pots! thy whore earns mother fee.
Before thou eat set guards about thy table!
Frowns failure if thou be not equitable.
Then shame on thee; thy case is pitiable.
Gold ornaments men's firm sincerity.
And rings of jade attest him honourable!
51 – THE CHEN HEXAGRAM
Fire of Fire
CHEN: Fire! Beware, but smile with mein divine!
Let nothing scare thee into spilling wine!
Here's trouble; watch thy ways, but drink thy wine!
Take lofty ground; the tide will ebb and flow.
Distraught? May danger teach thee low to go!
Fight fire with fire, or sink in mud supine!
Troubles mean profits for the men who know.
Caution! Foresee the action of the foe!
52 – THE KAN HEXAGRAM
Earth of Earth
KAN: Earth; keep silence like thy spine! See none
about thee! Thus the silk of wisdom's spun.
Plant firm thy feet; repose be now thy law.
Thy legs - 'twere ill to advance them or withdraw.
If loins move, the heart's liable to riot.
Keep still thy body's fidgets, Johnny raw,
and, for the love of heaven hold thy jaw!
Fortune attends who persevere in quiet.
53 – THE KIEN HEXAGRAM
Air of Earth
KIEN: Gradual progress: be thy right firm carriage
suggestive of a lady's decent marriage.
Wild geese approach the shore - with care they fly!
They reach the rocks - and pasture joyfully.
Dry plains they cross - it needs a vigorous wing!
They reach the trees, and rest; but not too high.
At last they gain the goal of traveling;
See on broad heights their feathers glittering.
54 – THE KWEI MEI HEXAGRAM
Fire of Water
KWEI MEI: To give first younger daughters - ill course.
Don't start with the carriage in front of the horse.
Go to it, ye cripples! I'll hold your crutches.
Blind of one eye? Be as chaste as a dutchess!
Now, younger sisters there's scrubbing to do!
Better postpone matrimonial clutches!
Think of Ti-Yi and his sisters anew!
No meat on the chops, and no beans in the stew.
55 – THE FANG HEXAGRAM
Fire of Sun
FANG: Large, abundant; now care's night is done.
Shed forth thy glory as the noonday sun.
First meet thy mate, then multiply thy force.
Be humbly loyal in obscurity;
Let not its accidents disturb thy course.
Mated in darkness - men! 'Tis fortune's source.
Then, call the clansmen of ability!
But pride and insolence slay majesty.
56 – THE LU HEXAGRAM
Sun of Earth
LU: Stranger, Firm right conduct may unravel
most of the tangles incident to travel.
Mean men by menial toil increase their woe;
Well lodged, served, monied men more easy go.
His house on fire, his servants fled, 'ware danger.
Though rich, armed, rested, still set caution ranger!
Good manners, self effacement with the throw;
while arrogance and violence hurt the stranger.
Next page: Book of Changes scriptures 57-64
