Tradition tells about the woman in the "hsing-lu" [Ode].[2]
She
had been promised in marriage, but as yet had not gone [to her
husband's house]. Seeing one present missing, one rite not perfect,
she preserved her chastity and kept her principles pure, and
would sooner have died[3]
than go. The superior man regards her
as having attained that which is fitting to a woman's duty,[4]
and
so he uses her as an exemplar and makes a song to disseminate it.
Thereby he does away with improper seeking and prevents immoral
acts. The Ode says,
Though you have forced me to trial,
I will still not follow you.[5]
