The Three Principle Texts of Daoism translated by ... - Bad Request

I must die and leave my kingdom, passing away likerunning water! If only there were no such things asdeath, nothing should induce me to stir from this spot."Two of the ministers in attendance on the Duke, takingtheir cue from him, also began to weep, saying: “We,who are dependent on your Highness's bounty, whosefood is of an inferior sort, who have to ride on brokendownhacks or in creaking carts—even we do not want todie. How much less our sovereign liege!"Yen Tzu, meanwhile, was standing by, with a broad smileon his face. The Duke wiped away his tears and, lookingat him, said: “To-day I am stricken with grief on myjourney, and both K'ung and Chü mingle their tears withmine. How is it that you alone can smile?"Yen Tzu replied: “If the worthy ruler were to remain inperpetual possession of his realm, Duke T'ai and DukeHuan would still be exercising their sway. If the boldruler were to remain in perpetual possession, DukeChuang and Duke Ling would still be ruling the land.But if all these rulers were now in possession, wherewould your Highness be? Why, standing in the furrowedfields, clad in coir cape and hat! [ - the usual garb of aChinese peasant in wet weather.]“Condemned to a hard life on earth, you would have hadno time, I warrant, for brooding over death. Again, howdid you yourself come to occupy this throne? By a seriesof successive reigns and removals, till at last your turncame. And are you alone going to weep and lament over