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James Legge, 1899 (public domain)
Kien suggests to us the marriage of a young lady, and the good fortune (attending it). There will be advantage in being firm and correct.
Kien is the wild geese coming in by degrees — shore, rocks, dry plains, trees, high mound, great heights. The oracle gives the marriage of a young lady and its good fortune to whoever advances in order, firm and correct. At the shore, a young officer meets danger and slander, yet no error. On the rocks, eating and drinking at ease: good fortune. On the dry plains, the husband does not return and the wife will not nourish her child — evil, though strength might resist plunderers. On the trees, rest on the flat branches: no error. On the high mound, three years without child, yet the natural issue cannot be prevented: good fortune. Ornamental feathers wait at the top.
Line 1
The first line, divided, shows the wild geese gradually approaching the shore. A young officer (in similar circumstances) will be in a position of danger, and be spoken against; but there will be no error.
Line 2
The second line, divided, shows the geese gradually approaching the large rocks, where they eat and drink joyfully and at ease. There will be good fortune.
Line 3
The third line, undivided, shows them gradually advanced to the dry plains. (It suggests also the idea of) a husband who goes on an expedition from which he does not return, and of a wife who is pregnant, but will not nourish her child. There will be evil. (The case symbolised) might be advantageous in resisting plunderers.
Line 4
The fourth line, divided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the trees. They may light on the flat branches. There will be no error.
Line 5
The fifth line, undivided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the high mound. (It suggests the idea of) a wife who for three years does not become pregnant; but in the end the natural issue cannot be prevented. There will be good fortune.
Line 6
The sixth line, undivided, shows the geese gradually advanced to the large heights (beyond). Their feathers can be used as ornaments. There will be good fortune.