I. PROTEST OF A WIDOW AGAINST BEING URGED TO MARRY AGAIN.

1 In the mid Ho that cypress boat floats free, While friends a second marriage press on me. I see my husband's youthful forehead there, And on it the twin tufts of falling hair. Rather than wed again I'll die, I swear! O mother dear, O Heaven supreme [GOD], why should You not allow my vow, and aid my purpose good?

2 Near to the bank that cypress boat floats free, While friends a second marriage press on me. He was my only one, with forehead fair, And on it the twin tufts of falling hair. Till death to shun the evil thing I swear! O mother dear, O Heaven supreme, why should You not allow my vow, and aid my purpose good?

II. THE THINGS DONE IN THE HAREM OF THE PALACE OF WEI WERE TOO SHAMEFUL TO BE TOLD.

1 As grows on wall the tribulus, And 'gainst the brush retains its hold; So let what's in the harem done By us without remain untold. What must be told would tongue defile With things unfit for speech, and vile.

2 As grows on wall the tribulus, Which vainly to remove we try; So let what's in the harem done By us without unspoken lie. If on details we condescend, The narrative would have no end.

3 As grows on wall the tribulus, And cannot in the sheaf be tied; So let what's in the harem done By us without untouched abide. If truth were in the tale laid bare, How foul a scene were painted there!

III. CONTRAST BETWEEN THE BEAUTY AND SPLENDOUR OF SEUEN KEANG AND HER VICIOUSNESS.

1 Pledged to her husband, his alone to be; With head-dress high, cross pins, and jewels rare; Her movements graceful, elegant, and free; As mountain stately, with imposing air; Majestic as a river, large and fair; Her robes the various figured forms display. Fit seems it she such pictured robes should wear! But, lady, vain is all your grand array; No claim to it can you, in virtue wanting, lay.

2 Her pheasant-figured robe resplendent shines, Her hair, jet-black, cloud-like surmounts her head; Her own, no false locks with it she entwines. Then see her ear-plugs, of the precious jade; Her comb-pin, of the finest ivory made; And her high forehead, shining pure and white. Like visitant come down from heaven, arrayed In fashion thus, for sacrificial rite,— Well may we [heavenly being] call her, and no earthly wight.

3 At court now see her, on occasions great, To meet the ruler, or guests entertain! As rich and splendid is her robe of state, With muslin 'neath it of the finest grain, Which takes the place of warmer garment plain. Her eyes are clear, with forehead broad and high, Which the full temples on each side sustain. With woman such as this how few can vie! The beauty of the land, she charms the gazing eye!

IV. A GENTLEMAN BOASTS OF HIS INTIMACY AND INTRIGUES WITH VARIOUS NOBLE LADIES.

1 The gold-thread to gather I'm going, Where in Wei it spreads over the tree; But my thoughts for ever are flowing To the Beauty who captive holds me,— To the eldest Keang. Yes, it is she! Freely did she agree in Sang-chung, She would come to me here in Shang-kung, And then company keep with me on to the K'e.

2 For the wheat about Wei I'm going To the north where it grows in each part. But my thoughts for ever are flowing To the Beauty who rules in my heart,— To the eldest Yih. Yes, it is she! Freely did she agree in Sang-chung, She would come to me here in Shang-kung, And then company keep with me on to the K'e.

3 For the mustard-plant I am going Where in Wei it grows over the east. But my thoughts for ever are flowing To the Beauty on whose love I feast,— To the eldest Yung. Yes, it is she! Freely did she agree in Sang-chung, She would come to me here in Shang-kung, And then company keep with me on to the K'e.

V. AGAINST SEUEN KEANG AND CH'AOU-PEH, AS WORSE THAN BEASTS.

1 How bold the quails together rush, Each fighting for his mate! How strong the magpies, battling fierce Upon the same debate! This man, without a trait that's good, Is stained by vicious crime; Yet him as brother I regard:— Alas! woe worth the time!

2 How strong the magpies, battling fierce, Each one to keep his mate! How fierce the quails together rush, Upon the same debate! This woman, with no trait that's good, Is stained by vicious crime, Yet her I hail as marchioness:— Alas! woe worth the time!

VI. IN PRAISE OF DUKE WAN: HIS DILIGENCE, FORESIGHT, SYMPATHY WITH THE PEOPLE, AND PROSPERITY.

1 At dusk the Ting star passed on to the west, And field-work for the year was laid to rest. At Ts'oo the duke his palace took in hand, And by the sun fixed how its walls should stand. All round about he planted many a tree,— Hazels and chestnuts, t'ung, and tsze, and e, And varnish trees. The grove would yield ere long Abundant wood for lutes, to aid the voice of song.

2 He climbed those ruined walls, thence to inspect The site he wished for Ts'oo-k'ew to select. His glance the land from Ts'oo to T'ang mapped out, Noting the hills and smaller heights about. He then came down, the mulberry trees to view, And judged the soil, and learned its nature true. These things once done, he asked [guidance of GOD], Answer auspicious got,—and all succeeded well.

3 Thereafter, when there fell the copious showers, He often called his groom, and in the hours Of early dawn a-field by starlight drove Among the labourers, and to cheer them strove. And many ways he had, not this alone, In which his character distinguished shone, To duty bound, assiduous in his cares;— And blessing came,—three thousand steeds and mares.

VII. AGAINST LEWD CONNEXIONS.

1 A rainbow in the east invites the gaze, But none a finger to it dares to raise. All view it with dislike; but viler she, Who hastes to marry 'gainst propriety! When from their early homes young women go, Parents and brothers they nigh cease to know. Important rules for step like this are made, And to such rules obedience should be paid.

2 When rainbows in the west at morn appear, By morning's close the sky from rain is clear; So fleeting are the joys of lawless love; Licentious pleasures evanescent prove. When from their early homes young women go, Parents and brothers they nigh cease to know. Important rules for step like this are made, And to such rules obedience should be paid.

3 Ah! think of this young girl whose wilful heart Is bent on marriage as her only part. She wrongs herself, to the right course untrue, Which every virtuous woman should pursue. She blames her lot, and, wanton, will not own Heaven's [GOD's] ordering of it on the parents thrown. For marriage ties the wisest rules are made, And to such rules obedience should be paid.

VIII. A MAN WITHOUT PROPRIETY IS NOT EQUAL TO A RAT.

1 Behold a rat! Its skin has glossy sheen! Then mark that man's demeanour, poor and mean! Bearing of bearing void!—what means it? This:— 'Twere better death than longer life were his!

2 Behold a rat! Its teeth can sharply bite! Then mark deportment careless of what's right! Manners thus careless of what's right declare 'Twere well the man himself for death prepare.

3 Behold a rat! How small its limbs, and fine! Then mark the course that scorns the proper line! Propriety's neglect may well provoke A wish the man would quickly court death's stroke.

IX. THE ZEAL OF THE OFFICERS OF WEI TO WELCOME MEN OF WORTH.

1 Where Tseun's suburbs lie remote, From the staffs the ox-tails float. High the staffs, and each one bright With its silken bandlets white! Four cars drawn by steeds of fire Welcome guest whom all desire. Admirable, what will he Give to meet such courtesy?

2 In Tseun's suburbs near the town, Fly the falcon banners, blown From the staffs that rise around, All with bands of white silk bound. Five cars drawn by horses strong Wait the guest who comes along. Courteous, worthy,—what shall he Pay for all this courtesy?

3 Now the walls of Tseun we see; Feather'd streamers flutter free From the flag staffs strong and stout, Girt by silken bands about. Six cars drawn by steeds of fame Well attest the guest's high name. Sage profound, what can he say That such welcome will repay?

X. THE BARONESS MUH OF HEU COMPLAINS OF NOT BEING ALLOWED TO GO TO WEI TO CONDOLE WITH THE MARQUIS ON THE DESOLATION OF HIS STATE, AND APPEAL TO SOME GREAT POWERS ON ITS BEHALF.

1 I wished to urge my steeds, and drive To Wei, to share my brother's grief, Not slacking till we should arrive And halt at Ts'aou, and find relief. Another went, o'er hill, through stream, across plain; Here in deep sorrow I must still remain.

2 What I wished for you denied; Here in Heu I must abide. And in your decision's spite I must hold my purpose right. You, unkind, my purpose spurn;— Not to Wei can I return. I must slight your views as nought, For I cannot quench my thought.

3 I'll climb the sides of that steep mound, And pluck the lilies growing there. Thoughts in my woman's heart abound, And every thought might blossom bear. In Heu the people all my purpose blame; Their childish, hasty thoughts cause me no shame.

4 I would through the land have gone, Passed where fields of rich wheat shone, [Appeal] have made to Ts'e's great state, Help have sought for Wei's sore strait. Nobles who o'er Wei preside, Zeal like this you should not chide. Hundreds are the plans you make; Best the course I wished to take!