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James Legge, 1899 (public domain)
Kwei Mei indicates that (under the conditions which it denotes) action will be evil, and in no wise advantageous.
Kwei Mei is the marrying maiden, and the oracle does not soften it: under these conditions action will be evil, in no wise advantageous. The union begins out of order — think of the end, and know where it breaks. Lame on one leg yet able to tramp along, going forward is fortunate. Blind of one eye and yet able to see, keep the firm correctness of a solitary widow. Return to the mean position and accept it. Protracting the time, the marrying still comes. The princess outshone by her companion's sleeves — the moon almost full: good fortune. But the empty basket and the bloodless sheep carry no advantage in any way.
Line 1
The first line, undivided, shows the younger sister married off in a position ancillary to the real wife. (It suggests the idea of) a person lame on one leg who yet manages to tramp along. Going forward will be fortunate.
Line 2
The second line, undivided, shows her blind of one eye, and yet able to see. There will be advantage in her maintaining the firm correctness of a solitary widow.
Line 3
The third line, divided, shows the younger sister who was to be married off in a mean position. She returns and accepts an ancillary position.
Line 4
The fourth line, undivided, shows the younger sister who is to be married off protracting the time. She may be late in being married, but the time will come.
Line 5
The fifth line, divided, reminds us of the marrying of the younger sister of (king) Ti-yi, when the sleeves of her the princess were not equal to those of the (still) younger sister who accompanied her in an inferior capacity. (The case suggests the thought of) the moon almost full. There will be good fortune.
Line 6
The sixth line, divided, shows the young lady bearing the basket, but without anything in it, and the gentleman slaughtering the sheep, but without blood flowing from it. There will be no advantage in any way.