Hospitality Poem by Confucius

Hospitality



A few gourd leaves that waved about
Cut down and boiled;--the feast how spare!
But the good host his spirits takes,
Pours out a cup, and proves them rare.

A single rabbit on the mat,
Or baked, or roast:--how small the feast!
But the good host his spirits takes,
And fills the cup of every guest.

A single rabbit on the mat,
Roasted or broiled:--how poor the meal!
But the guests from the spirit vase
Fill their host's cup, and drink his weal.

A single rabbit on the mat,
Roasted or baked:--no feast we think!
But from the spirit vase they take,
Both host and guests, and joyous drink.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Kevin Patrick 22 January 2018

The translation of this is a little difficult to understand, is the message that what little there is, that the real bounty is sharing with the company of others? , still an interesting attempt.

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