Arthur Waley > Quotes

“was Chiang Yüan. How did she give birth to the people? She sacrificed and prayed That she might no longer be childless. She trod on the big toe of God’s footprint, Was accepted and got what she desired. Then in reverence, then in awe She gave birth, she nurtured; And this was Hou Chi. 1 The mother had fulfilled her months, And her first-born came like a lamb With no bursting or rending, With no hurt or harm. To make manifest His magic power God on high gave her ease. So blessed were her sacrifice”
― Arthur Waley, Chinese Poems