I. The Seaou min

1 Oh! pitying Heaven [GOD] grows black with frown, That darkens far this lower sphere, For crooked schemes mislead the crown; Nor halts the king in his career! All counsels good and wise he spurns; To counsels bad he eager turns. I mark his ways with pain and fear.

2 His creatures, impotent and vain, Now chime, now chafe, in rival mood. The case deserves our saddest strain! If one proposes aught that's good, Against it all are firmly bound; If bad, then all will rally round. Where will it end?—I sadly brood.

3 Our wearied [sages] are dumb, And silence keep when we consult. Our counsellors still thronging come, With counsels barren of result. Though full the court, none dares to do; We plan the way we ne'er pursue, And halting, helpless still we halt.

4 Ah me! the men who lead the State, Forsake the wisdom of the past. Unruled by maxims wise and great, They veer with every fitful blast. They cannot on themselves rely. Builders, they ask each passer-by, And leave their work undone at last.

5 Unsettled though the land we see, The many foolish, some are wise; And scanty though the people be, Yet some can see, and some devise. Some gravely think, and some have tact; Yet borne upon the cataract, We sink in ruin, ne'er to rise.

6 Who dares unarmed the tiger face? Who boatless dares to tempt the Ho? Then their small wits see such a case, But nothing greater do they know. With fear and caution should we tread, Like men above some torrent's bed, Or those upon thin ice who go.

II. The Seaou yuen

1 The dove coos gently in the bush, Then wings to heaven its flight. My heart that broods o'er sorrow's wound, Thinks of our fathers bright. When early dawn unseals my eyes, Before my mind our parents rise.

2 Men grave and wise a cup [of lawful drink] may take, And reason hold her sway. But men benighted taste, and grow More set on drink each day. Let all deportment good maintain; Heaven's [GOD's] gift once lost we ne'er regain.

3 All o'er the plain they gather beans, Which they will sow again. The grubs hatched on the mulberry tree The sphex bears off to train. Teach carefully your sons at home, And good as you they will become.

4 Look at the wagtails! Quick they leap, And twitter as they fly. Let us as active be, for days And months go swiftly by. Rise early, and go late to sleep; The name you bear in honour keep.

5 The greenbeaks, driven by pinching want, Frequent the yards for grain. Alas for poor and lonely folks, Whom prison walls restrain! I sprinkle rice around my door, And to be good, Heaven's aid implore.

6 We must be meek, and cautious move, As we were perched on trees. We must be anxious, and take care, As near a precipice. We must put down our feet as nice, As if we trod on thinnest ice.

III. The Seaou pwan

1 To the trees that are their home, Flying slow, the crows all come. Other men can happy be; Ne'er am I from misery free. Have I Heaven [GOD] offended sore? Surely guilt lies at my door. Homeless thus, oppressed with grief, Nowhere can I find relief.

2 Once the road was clear to Chow, O'er it the rank grass grows now. On my heart is sorrow's blight; Ache my limbs as after fight. Through the night, still dressed, I sigh; Ere its time, old age comes nigh. Homeless thus, I find no rest, Head and heart alike distressed.

3 Men with reverence always view Trees that round their homesteads grew. On their fathers all depend, In their mothers have a friend. From my father's loins I sprung, On my mother's breast I hung; Yet did Heaven my being give, 'Neath a baleful [lot] to live.

4 Where cicadas' voices ring, Willow trees luxuriant spring. Deep the waters of that pool, Fringed with reeds and rushes cool! But like boat adrift I'm borne, Aimless, tossed about, forlorn. Sad my heart! I try in vain Briefest rest from thought to gain.

5 Mark the stag's reluctant feet Slowly from the herd retreat. Crows the pheasant at the dawn, And his mate is to him drawn. Stript of branch and leaf, that tree Is the image true of me! Sad my heart! I'm left alone, Unbefriended and unknown.

6 See the hare for mercy crave! One steps in its life to save. When a corpse unburied lies, Some one straight a grave supplies. Callous monarch, all our woes Ne'er wake thy compunction's throes. Sad my heart beneath thy frown, And my tears fall ceaseless down!

7 Slanders vile the king believes; Them as pledge-cup he receives. Truthful judgment he denies, And to stifle kindness tries. Trees are felled where helps the strain, Faggots cleft along the grain. Leaves our king the guilty free, While he guilt imputes to me.

8 Men will climb the greatest height; Deepest springs their search invite. O'er his words the king should watch; Ears are set each word to catch. Leave my dam, ye slanderers base; Move not basket from its place. Vainly thus, despised, I moan; Dark my future, though unknown!

IV. The Keaou yen

1 O vast and distant Heaven [GOD], whom we [Lord and Sustainer] call, on Thee I cry. Say why these ills on me Excessive fall. Oppressive, vast, my misery, Though guiltless all!

2 The first small lie contains the rest. When slanders fill our monarch's breast, Ills grow, and never are redressed. Would he but trust The good, wrongs soon must be redressed. I know they must.

3 His frequent covenants show him weak. Wrongs grow from cozening words they speak. He trusts the rogues that lie and sneak, And make things worse. Their duties shirked, their words so meek Prove but a curse.

4 With the great work of some great mind;— A temple by true king designed, Or plans by sagest men outlined, I'm in a fog. Round common schemes my way I wind, Like hare and dog.

5 As timber soft in carver's hand Assumes the shape he may command, So common speech to understand, I well may claim. Those talkers, flowing, artful, grand, Are sons of shame.

6 And who are they? On yonder stream They dwell; and void of strength they seem. From men so bloated who would dream Of martial force? Both they and theirs may madly scheme, And fare the worse!

V. The Ho jin sze

1 I ask what man came here. With treacherous schemes his mind o'erflows. Why to my dam came he so close, Nor to the gate drew near? Whom does he follow as his lord? It must be Paou, I'll pledge my word.

2 Companions close are they. Which was it caused me my disgrace? Why shunned he at the dam my face, Nor kindly word would say? Once were we bound with friendship's ties, While now to stand aloof he tries.

3 I ask what man is he. Inside my gate, before my hall, He stood. I heard his footstep's fall, Though him I could not see. Unblushingly he breaks man's law, Nor yet of Heaven [GOD] stands he in awe.

4 What man behaved so ill? Wild as a hurricane his ways! Or north, or south, he comes as sways The impulse of his will. Why to my dam approached he so, My mind in such distress to throw?

5 "Too slow!" is your appeal. "Too slow," and yet you could not stop! "In haste," you say.—I saw you drop The reins, and grease your wheel. If you would come to me but once! Why keep me waiting, eyes askance?

6 Then upon your return You came not. If you had done so, My strong desire would no more glow; My heart would cease to burn. O come but once! Vain your excuse! Why to relieve me thus refuse?

7 Beads on one string we hung. If you the earthen whistle blew, I played the flute of pierced bamboo. If still you doubt my tongue, Here are the creatures three, whose blood Shall seal the oath I take [before GOD] as good!

8 Were you an imp of air, Or water, you'd be out of reach. But face to face we stand, and each Is to the other bare. In this good song I've freely told Your changeful ways, now hot, now cold.

VI. The Heang pih

1 A few fine lines, at random drawn, Like the shell-pattern wrought in lawn To hasty glance will seem. My trivial faults base slander's slime Distorted into foulest crime, And men me worthless deem.

2 A few small points, pricked down on wood, May be made out a picture good Of the bright, southern Sieve. Who planned, and helped those slanderers vile, My name with base lies to defile? Unpitied, here I grieve.

3 With babbling tongues you go about, And only scheme how to make out The lies you scatter round. Hear me.—Be careful what you say; People ere long your words will weigh, And liars you'll be found.

4 Clever you are, with changeful schemes! How else could all your evil dreams And slanders work their way? Men now believe you; by and by, The truth found out, each vicious lie Will ill for ill repay.

5 The proud rejoice; the sufferer weeps. O azure Heaven [GOD], from out Thy deeps Why look in silence down? Behold these proud men and rebuke; With pity on the sufferers look, And on the evil frown.

6 Those slanderers I would gladly take, With all who help their schemes to make, And to the tigers throw. If wolves and tigers such should spare, I'd hurl them 'midst the freezing air, Where the keen north winds blow. And should the north compassion feel I'd fling them to great Heaven, to deal On them its direst woe.

7 As on the acred heights you dwell, My place is in the willow dell, One is the other near. Before you, officers, I spread These lines by me, poor eunuch, made, Think not Mang-tsze severe.

VII. The Kuh fung

1 Gently and soft the east wind blows, And then there falls the pelting rain. When anxious fears pressed round you close, Then linked together were we twain. Now happy, and your mind at rest, You turn and cast me from your breast.

2 Gently and soft the east wind blows, And then there comes the whirlwind wild. When anxious fears pressed round you close, Your bosom held me as a child. Now happy, and in peaceful state, You throw me off and quite forget.

3 Gently and soft the east wind blows, Then round the rocky height it storms. Each plant its leaves all dying shows; The trees display their withered forms. My virtues great forgotten all, You keep in mind my faults, though small.

VIII. The Luh ngo

1 Long and large the ngo plants grow. Haow plants surely I should know! How can I confound them so? Grief has robbed my eyes of sight, Almost plunging me in night. Others' hands laid in the grave, Those whose pain my being gave!

2 Long and large the ngo plants grow. Wei plants surely I should know! How can I confound them so? Grief has robbed my eyes of sight, Almost plunging me in night. Others' hands laid in the earth, Those whose suffering gave me birth.

3 Pitcher should be filled from vase; Where this fails, 'tis reckoned base. Than to live as orphan left, Better be of life bereft! Father dead, on whom depend? Mother dead, where find a friend? I, abroad, this sad case know, And, at home, can nowhere go.

4 Father, from whose loins I sprung, Mother, on whose breast I hung, Tender were ye, and ye fed, Now upheld, now gently led. Eyes untiring watched my way; Often in your arms I lay. How could I repay your love, Vast as arch of heaven above?

5 Cold and bleak that southern hill! Tempests fierce with terror thrill. All around is dark, but more Dark the lot which I deplore! Others all can happy be;— Why from grief am I not free?

6 Hill so steep what foot can brave? Blustering winds around it rave. Fierce the winds! As fierce the fate, Which pursues me desolate! Happy all save me alone, Thinking aye of duties undone!

IX. The Ta tung

1 With millet filled, the dishes stood displayed; The spoons lay long and curved, of thornwood made. Smooth as a whetstone was the road to Chow, And straight as shaft well fitted for the bow. This road the common people gladly viewed; The officers on it their way pursued. Thus back to former times my thoughts will go, And down my cheeks the tears in streamlets flow.

2 Now in the east, in States both large and small, Shuttles unplied, the looms are empty all. Thin cloth of dolichos supplies the shoes, Which shivering travellers on the hoar frost use. Young nobles, cultured, but too thin and spare, Hurry along the road, all full of care. They go, they come; weary they are and worn. My heart aches for them, and I feel forlorn.

3 This firewood, cut and hewn with earnest toil, I fear the waters from that spring will spoil: Fit then as emblems they would be of those Whose stern exactions grant us no repose. The firewood cut must homeward be conveyed;— Toil after toil is on the people laid! O that we could the needful rest but take! Tired out we sleep, and sigh when we awake.

4 The east its noblest sons to service hard Sees promptly called; but they get no reward. There in the west sons of each noble line Live idle, and in splendid dresses shine. There also boatmen's sons now proudly wear The glossy furs of which men spoil the bear. Sons of the poorest families, elate, In public offices display their state.

5 Our choicest [drinks] humbly we present. "How can such stuff," they say, "our taste content?" Long girdle-pendants, well supplied with gems, We give, and each the gift as short contemns. Up to the Milky Way [GOD's sign] I turn my gaze;— Looks [He] not down to mark their evil ways? There too the Weaving Sisters' triple beam, While they move on, might shed an angry gleam.

6 Nightly those Sisters through seven stages go, But no bright work do they to ease our woe. The stars we call Draught Oxen also shine, But they no cart for us to draw combine. The Morning star appears in the dim east, The Evening star oft twinkles in the west, And long and curved the Rabbit Net is there:— Each fills its place, but heeds not our despair.

7 Four stars to be the Southern Sieve have claim, But nothing do they to make good the name. Northwards the Ladle sparkles in the sky, But ladles nothing that may drink supply. O Southern Sieve, thy mouth is idly shown, For good come from it we have never known. And thou, O Ladle, shining in the north, Thy handle eastward vainly stretchest forth!

X. The Sze yueh

1 In the fourth month summer shines; In the sixth the heat declines. Nature thus grants men relief; Tyranny gives only grief. Were not my sires weak men? Can my suffering escape [GOD's] ken?

2 In the cold of autumn days, Each plant shrivels and decays. Nature then is hard and stern; Living things sad lessons learn. Friends dispersed, all order gone, Place of refuge have I none.

3 Winter days are wild and fierce; Rapid gusts each crevice pierce. Such is my unhappy lot, Unbefriended and forgot! Others all can happy be; I from misery ne'er am free.

4 On the mountains are fine trees; Chestnuts, plum trees, there one sees. All the year their forms they show; Stately more and more they grow. Noble turned to ravening thief! What the cause? This stirs my grief.

5 Waters from that spring appear Sometimes foul, and sometimes clear, Changing oft, as falls the rain, Or the sky grows bright again, New misfortunes every day Still befall me, misery's prey.

6 Aid from mighty streams obtained, Southern States are shaped and drained. Thus the Keang and Han are thanked, And as benefactors ranked. Weary toil my vigour drains; All unnoticed it remains!

7 Hawks and eagles mount the sky; Sturgeons in deep waters lie. Out of reach, they safety get, Arrow fear not, nor the net. Hiding-place for me there's none; Here I stay, and make my moan.

8 Ferns upon the hills abound; Ke and e in marshy ground. Each can boast its proper place, Where it grows for use or grace. I can only sing the woe, Which, [afflicted], I undergo.