I. The Keu lin; narrative and allusive. CELEBRATING THE GROWING OPULENCE AND STYLE OF SOME LORD OF TS'IN, AND THE PLEASURES AND FREEDOM OF HIS COURT.

1 His many chariots rush along, Drawn by white-fronted steeds and strong. When audience now we wish to gain, His eunuchs' aid we must obtain.

2 The varnish trees on hill-sides grow, And chestnuts on the lands below. When access to the prince we've found, We sit and hear the lutes' sweet sound. If we seize not this joy to-day, Old age will have us for its prey.

3 The mulberries on the hill-sides grow, And willows where the grounds are low. When to the prince our way we've made, We sit and hear the organs played. If we pass by this joy to-day, Old age will bear us all away.

II. The Sze t'eeh; narrative. CELEBRATING THE GROWING OPULENCE OF THE LORDS OF TS'IN, AS SEEN IN THEIR HUNTING.

1 Our ruler to the hunt proceeds; And black as iron are his steeds That heed the charioteer's command, Who holds the six reins in his hand. His favourites follow to the chase, Rejoicing in his special grace.

2 The season's males, alarmed, arise,— The season's mates, of wondrous size. Driven by the beaters, forth they spring, Soon caught within the hunters' ring. "Drive on their left," the ruler cries; And to its mark his arrow flies.

3 The hunting done, northward he goes; And in the park the driver shows The horses' points, and his own skill That rules and guides them at his will. Light cars, whose teams small bells display, The long and short-mouthed dogs convey.

III. The Seaou jung; narrative. THE LADY OF AN OFFICER ABSENT ON AN EXPEDITION AGAINST THE TRIBES OF THE WEST GIVES A GLOWING DESCRIPTION OF HIS CHARIOT, AND PRAISES HIMSELF, EXPRESSING, BUT WITHOUT MURMURING, HER REGRET AT HIS ABSENCE.

1 Before my mind's eye stands my lord's short car, In which he dares the risks of savage war:— Its pole, whose end turns upward, curving round, And in five places shines, with leather bound; The slip rings and the side straps; the masked place, Where gilt rings to the front unite the trace; The mat of tiger's skin; the naves so long; The steeds, with left leg white, and piebalds, strong. Such my lord's car! He rises in my mind, Lovely and bland, like jade of richest kind; Yet there he lives, in his log hut apart:— The very thought confuses all my heart.

2 The driver with the six reins guides along The horses, with their shining coats, and strong:— One inside dappled, one bay with black mane; Black-mouthed and bay, and black, the outer twain. Shields, dragon-figured, rise up side by side, Shelter in front 'gainst missiles to provide, Gilt buckles with the carriage front connect The inner reins by which the insides are checkt. I see my lord, thus in his carriage borne, With his mild form the frontier towns adorn. What time can be for his return assigned? Ah me! his figure ever fills my mind!

3 With measured steps move the mail-covered team. The trident spears, with gilded shaft-ends gleam. The feather-figured shield, of beauty rare, He holds before him, all his foes to dare. The bow-case, made of tiger's skin, and bright With metal plates, lies ready for the fight. It holds two bows which bamboo frames secure, And keep unhurt, to send the arrows sure. To him thus busy all my thoughts are borne, Both when I rest at night and rise at morn. He, my good lord, is tranquil and serene, His virtuous fame more prized, the more he's seen.

IV. The Keen kea; narrative. SOME ONE TELLS HOW HE SOUGHT ANOTHER, WHOM IT SEEMED EASY TO FIND, AND YET COULD NOT FIND HIM.

1 Reed and rush are dark and green; As hoar-frost the white dew is seen. Him, the man I have in mind, By this water I should find. Searching, up the stream I haste, On a long and toilsome quest. Downwards then I turn, and see! In the mid-stream standeth he. He is there but far removed; Vain has all my searching proved.

2 Reed and rush luxuriant rise; Still undried the white dew lies. Him, the man I have in mind, On the stream's edge I should find. Upwards first my course I keep, Though the way is rough and steep. Downwards then, and what to see? In the mid-stream standeth he, On the islet, far removed;— Vain has all my searching proved.

3 Reed and rush grow thick and tall; Ceases not the dew to fall. Him, the man I have in mind, On the stream's bank I should find. Upwards first I go along, But the hard path leads me wrong. Downwards then my steps I turn, And in mid-stream him discern, On the island, far removed;— Vain has all my searching proved.

V. The Chung-nan; allusive. CELEBRATING THE GROWING OPULENCE OF SOME RULER OF TS'IN, AND ADMONISHING, WHILE PRAISING, HIM.

1 What trees grow on the Chung-nan hill? The white fir and the plum. In fur of fox, 'neath broidered robe, Thither our prince is come. His face glows with vermilion hue. O may he prove a ruler true!

2 What find we on the Chung-nan hill? Deep nook and open glade. Our prince shows there the double Ke On lower robe displayed. His pendant holds each tinkling gem. Long life be his, and deathless fame!

VI. The Hwang neaou; allusive. LAMENT FOR THREE WORTHY BROTHERS OF TS'IN WHO WERE BURIED ALIVE IN THE SAME GRAVE WITH DUKE MUH.

1 They flit about, the yellow birds, And rest upon the jujubes find. Who buried were in duke Muh's grave, Alive to awful death consigned? 'Mong brothers three, who met that fate, 'Twas sad the first, Yen-seih, to see. He stood alone; a hundred men Could show no other such as he. When to the yawning grave he came, Terror unnerved and shook his frame. Why thus destroy our noblest men, To thee we cry, O azure Heaven [GOD]! To save Yen-seih from death, we would A hundred lives have freely given.

2 They flit about, the yellow birds, And on the mulberry trees rest find. Who buried were in duke Muh's grave, Alive to awful death consigned? 'Mong brothers three, who met that fate, 'Twas sad the next, Chung-hang, to see. When on him pressed a hundred men, A match for all of them was he. When to the yawning grave he came, Terror unnerved and shook his frame. Why thus destroy our noblest men, To thee we cry, O azure Heaven! To save Chung-hang from death, we would A hundred lives have freely given.

3 They flit about, the yellow birds, And rest upon the thorn trees find. Who buried were in duke Muh's grave, Alive to awful death consigned? 'Mong brothers three, who met that fate, 'Twas sad the third, K'een-foo, to see. A hundred men in desperate fight Successfully withstand could he. When to the yawning grave he came, Terror unnerved and shook his frame. Why thus destroy our noblest men, To thee we cry, O azure Heaven! To save K'een-foo from death, we would A hundred lives have freely given.

VII. The Shin fung; allusive. A WIFE TELLS HER GRIEF BECAUSE OF THE ABSENCE OF HER HUSBAND, AND HIS FORGETFULNESS OF HER.

1 The falcon swiftly seeks the north, And forest gloom that sent it forth. Since I no more my husband see, My heart from grief is never free. O how is it, I long to know, That he, my lord, forgets me so?

2 Bushy oaks on the mountain grow, And six elms where the ground is low. But I, my husband seen no more, My sad and joyless fate deplore. O how is it, I long to know, That he, my lord, forgets me so?

3 The hills the bushy wild plums show, And pear trees grace the ground below. But, with my husband from me gone, As drunk with grief, I dwell alone. O how is it, I long to know, That he, my lord, forgets me so?

VIII. The Woo e; narrative. THE PEOPLE OF TS'IN DECLARE THEIR READINESS, AND STIMULATE ONE ANOTHER, TO FIGHT IN THE KING'S CAUSE.

1 Say you you have no clothes to wear? My long robes let me with you share. The king his armies has called out; Then let us hail the battle shout. My lance and spear I will prepare, And as your comrade with you fare.

2 Say you you have no clothes to wear? Come and my under-garments share. The king his armies has called out; Then let us hail the battle shout. My spear and lance I will prepare, And to the field with you will fare.

3 Say you you have no clothes to wear? My lower clothing you shall share. The king his armies has called out; Then let us hail the battle shout. Buff coat I'll get, and weapons keen, And with you on the march be seen.

IX. The Wei yang; narrative. THE FEELINGS WITH WHICH DUKE K'ANG OF TS'IN ESCORTED HIS UNCLE, DUKE WAN, TO TSIN, AND HIS PARTING GIFTS.

1 I escorted my uncle to Tsin, Till the Wei we crossed on the way. Then I gave as I left For his carriage a gift Four steeds, and each steed was a bay.

2 I escorted my uncle to Tsin, And I thought of him much in my heart. Pendant stones, and with them Of fine jasper a gem, I gave, and then saw him depart.

X. The Kteuen yu; narrative. SOME PARTIES, PROBABLY REFUGEES, COMPLAIN OF THE DIMINISHED RESPECT AND ATTENTION PAID TO THEM.

1 He lodged us in a spacious house, And plenteous was our fare. But now at every frugal meal There's not a scrap to spare. Alas! alas that this good man Could not go on as he began!

2 Four dishes on the mat the grain For every meal supplied. The change is great, from every meal We rise unsatisfied. Alas! alas that this good man Could not go on as he began!