Xiao Bi

Preface to "Xiao Bi": "Xiao Bi" is a poem in which the newly ascended king (King Cheng of Zhou) seeks assistance from his ministers.

I must take warning from the past and cautiously guard against future calamities. Let me not provoke those wasp-like creatures, lest I bring stings upon myself.

At first I truly trusted the little wren, but when it fluttered up, it became a great bird.

I find it hard to bear the many troubles of the state, and now I have fallen into a perilous situation.

"Xiao Bi" consists of one stanza, eight lines.