208 THE YI KING.
TEXT.
1. The first line, divided, shows its subject (like a fox) whose tail gets immersed. There will be occasion for regret.
2. The second line, undivided, shows its subject dragging back his (carriage-)wheel. With firmness and correctness there will be good fortune.
3. The third line, divided, shows its subject, with (the state of things) not yet remedied, advancing on ; which will lead to evil. But there will be advantage in (trying to) cross the great stream.
4. The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject by firm correctness obtaining good fortune, so that all occasion for repentance disappears. Let him stir himself up, as if he were invading the Demon region, where for three years rewards will come to him (and his troops) from the great kingdom.
5. The fifth line, divided, shows its subject by firm correctness obtaining good fortune, and having no occasion for repentance. (We see in him) the brightness of a superior man, and the possession of sincerity. There will be good fortune.
6. The topmost line, undivided, shows its subject
second excels in sincerity, and his small offering is the more acceptable.
The topmost line is weak, and on the outmost edge of Khan, the trigram of peril. His action is violent and perilous, like that one attempting to cross a ford, and being plunged overhead into the water.
LXIV. Wei 3 1 is the reverse of K Qt The name tells us that the successful accomplishment of whatever the writer had in his mind had not yet been realised. The vessel of the state has not been brought across the great and dangerous stream. Some have wished that the Yi might have concluded with K 3i, and the last hexagram have left us with the picture of human affairs all brought
to good order. But this would not have been in harmony with the
