Lady Xu Mu speaks Tom Sharp

I ride swiftly to Cao to mourn my brother. The Duke of Wei has died; Wei’s in trouble. The Di people are taking over the country. I get home before the officials arrive; I know they don’t want to see me. They don’t like advice from a woman. I gather mugwort for healing. I haven’t always had an easy time. I married Xu Mu and his people didn’t like me. They won’t like me no matter what I do. They say I’m childish and reckless, which makes me sad, but I’ll make my own way. The country is rich in wheat fields but poor in imagination. Otherwise, officials and nobility would rush to help me. They criticize me for wanting to help. They think they have a better way, but their thoughts aren’t as good as my intentions.

载驰 诗经

载驰载驱，归唁卫侯。 驱马悠悠，言至于漕。 大夫跋涉，我心则忧。 既不我嘉，不能旋反。 视而不臧，我思不远。 既不我嘉，不能旋济。 视而不臧，我思不閟。 陟彼阿丘，言采其蝱。 女子善怀，亦各有行。 许人尤之，众穉且狂。 我行其野，芃芃其麦。 控于大邦，谁因谁极？ 大夫君子，无我有尤。 百尔所思，不如我所之。