I. THE PEOPLE OF THE CAPITAL EXPRESS THEIR ADMIRATION OF, AND REGARD FOR, DUKE WOO OF CH'ING.

1 The black robes well your form befit; When they are worn we'll make you new. Now for your court! oh! there we'll sit, And watch how you your duties do, And when we to our homes repair, We'll send to you our richest fare, Such is the love to you we bear!

2 Those robes well with your virtue match; When they are worn we'll make you new. Now for your court! There will we watch, Well pleased, how you your duties do. And when we to our homes repair, We'll send to you our richest fare, Such is the love to you we bear!

3 These robes your character beseem; When they are worn we'll make you new. Now for your court! oh! there we deem It pleasure great your form to view. And when we to our homes repair, We'll send to you our richest fare, Such is the love to you we bear!

II. A LADY BEGS HER LOVER TO LET HER ALONE, AND NOT EXCITE THE SUSPICIONS OF HER PARENTS AND OTHERS.

1 My worthy Chung, I pray, Do not in such a way Into my hamlet bound, My willow trees to wound. For them I do not care, But you my parents scare. 'Tis their words I fear. You, Chung, have my heart; But their words severe Will cause me to smart.

2 My worthy Chung, I pray, Do not in such a way Come leaping o'er my wall, And make the branches fall From my mulberry tree. That does not trouble me, But my brothers all see. 'Tis their words I fear. You, Chung, have my heart; But their words severe Will cause me to smart.

3 My worthy Chung, I pray, Do not in such a way Into my garden jump, My sandal trees to thump. For them I do not care, But people grow aware What 'tis that brings you there. 'Tis their words I fear. You, Chung, have my heart; But their words severe Will cause me to smart.

III. THE ADMIRATION WITH WHICH SHUH-TWAN WAS REGARDED.

1 To the hunt Shuh has gone, And people there are none Remaining in the street. Perhaps a few you'll find; But none like Shuh so kind, So graceful, will you meet.

2 To the chase Shuh has gone, And people there are none Left feasting in the street. If find a few you could, Yet none like Shuh so good, So graceful, would you meet.

3 To the fields Shuh has gone, And people there are none Careering through the street, Some riders though you told, Yet none like Shuh so bold, So graceful, would you meet.

IV. CELEBRATING THE CHARIOTEERING, DARING, AND ARCHERY OF SHUH-TWAN.

1 Our Shuh a-hunting forth has gone; In four-horsed chariot grand he shone. As ribbon in his grasp each rein; With measured steps, like dancers twain, The outside horses flew. They now have reached the marshy ground; At once the flames break out around. With naked arm and chest Shuh stands; A tiger fierce his nervous hands Grapple and soon subdue. He then presents it to the duke, While all with wonder on him look. But, Shuh, try not such sport again. What grief were ours if you were slain! Your daring we should rue.

2 Our Shuh a-hunting drove away, His four steeds all of colour bay. The outsides followed close behind The insides, finest of their kind, Like wild geese on the wing. They now have gained the marshy ground; At once the flames blaze all around. Few archers can with Shuh compare; A charioteer of cunning rare, The steeds before him spring. Now they dash on in course direct; Now they're brought up and quickly checkt. Forth flies the arrow, fleet and stark, Nor fails to hit its proper mark, His left hand following.

3 Our Shuh a-hunting drove away, His four steeds all of colour grey. With heads in line the insides sped; The outsides followed like the head Succeeded by the arms. They now have reached the marshy ground; One blaze of flame wraps all around; Soon cease the hunt's alarms. Shuh's steeds before him slowly move; His skill the arrows cease to prove. Straightway the quiver's lid is closed, And in its case the bow reposed. How his fine bearing charms!

V. The Ts'ing jin; narrative. THE USELESS MANOEUVRING OF AN ARMY OF CH'ING ON THE FRONTIERS.

1 The men of Ts'ing in P'ang all idle lie. The general's chariot with its mail-clad team Moves restlessly, and, rising from it, gleam The tasseled spears, one 'bove the other high. So aimless roam the troops about the Ho!

2 The men of Ts'ing all round in Seaou are spread, Although the chariot, with its mail-clad team, Looks martial-like, and, rising from it, gleam The hooked spears, one high, one low displayed; Yet aimless look they all about the Ho!

3 The men of Ts'ing have moved to Chow. Proud pace The mail-clad team, whose driver on the left Wheels round the chariot, and the spearman deft Displays his spear; 'tween them the general's face Looks pleased;—'tis mimic war upon the Ho!

VI. The Kaou k'ew; narrative. CELEBRATING SOME OFFICER OF CH'ING FOR HIS ELEGANT APPEARANCE AND INTEGRITY.

1 How glossy is the lambkin's fur, Smooth to the touch, and fair to view. In it arrayed, that officer Rests in his lot, to virtue true.

2 With leopard-cuffs, the lambkin's fur Seems made for wearer strong in fight. It well becomes that officer, Whom none will see swerve from the right.

3 Splendid his robe of lambkin's fur, With its three decorations grand! It well beseems that officer, The pride and glory of our land.

VII. The Tsun ta loo; narrative. OLD FRIENDSHIP SHOULD NOT BE HASTILY BROKEN OFF.

1 Along the great highway, I hold you by the cuff. O spurn me not, I pray, Or break old friendship off.

2 Along the highway worn, I hold your hand in mine. Do not as vile me scorn; Your love I can't resign.

VIII. The Neu yueh ke ming; narrative. A PLEASANT PICTURE OF DOMESTIC LIFE. A WIFE SENDS HER HUSBAND FROM HER SIDE TO HIS HUNTING, EXPRESSES HER AFFECTION, AND ENCOURAGES HIM TO CULTIVATE VIRTUOUS FRIENDSHIPS.

1 Says oor gudewife: "The cock is crawin'," Quoth oor gudeman, "The day is dawin'." "Get up, gudeman, an' tak a spy; See gin the mornin'-star be high, Syne tak a saunter roon' aboot; There's rowth o' dyukes and geese to shoot.

2 "Lat flee, and bring them hame to me, An' sic a dish as ye sall pree. In comin' times as ower the strings Your noddin' heed in rapture hings, Supreme ower care, nor fasht wi' fears, We'll baith grow auld in worth and years.

3 "An' when we meet the friends ye like, I'll gie to each some little fyke;— The lasses beads, trocks to their brithers, An' auld-warld fairlies to their mithers. Some nick-nack lovin' hands will fin', To show the love that dwalls within."

IX. The Yew neu tung keu; narrative. THE PRAISE OF SOME LADY.

1 There by his side in chariot rideth she, As lovely flower of the hibiscus tree, So fair her face; and when about they wheel, Her girdle gems of keu themselves reveal. For beauty all the House of Keang have fame; 'Tis eldest daughter,—she beseems her name.

2 There on the path, close by him, walketh she, Bright as the blossom of hibiscus tree And fair her face; and when around they flit, Her girdle gems a tinkling sound emit. Among the Keang she has distinguished place, For virtuous fame renowned, and peerless grace.

X. The Shan yew foo-soo; allusive. A LADY MOCKING HER LOVER.

1 On mountain grows the mulberry tree; The lotus flower in meadow damp. "It is not Tsze-too that I see, But only you, you foolish scamp!"

2 Polygonums the damp meads cover; The lofty pines on mountains view. "It is not Tsze-ch'ung comes as lover; You artful boy, 'tis only you!"

XI. The T'o he; metaphorical. AN APPEAL FROM THE INFERIOR OFFICERS OF CH'ING TO THEIR SUPERIORS ON THE SAD CONDITION OF THE STATE.

1 Ye withered leaves, ye withered leaves, Blown by the wind away! So tossed is Ch'ing. My spirit grieves To see its sad decay. Ye uncles, nobles of the land, Reform the State; we'll by you stand!

2 Ye withered leaves, ye withered leaves, By winds so wildly tossed! What grief my mourning heart receives From Ch'ing thus foully lost! Uncles, your starting note we wait; We'll follow and reform the State.

XII. The Keaou tung; narrative. A WOMAN SCORNING HER LOVER.

1 O dear! that artful boy Refuses me a word! But, Sir, I shall enjoy My food, though you're absurd!

2 O dear! that artful boy My table will not share! But, Sir, I shall enjoy My rest, though you're not there!

XIII. The Keen chang; narrative. A LADY'S DECLARATION OF HER ATTACHMENT TO HER LOVER, WHOM SHE ADDRESSES, HOWEVER, IN A DEFIANT MANNER.

1 If you, good Sir, continue to be kind, I'll hold my garments up the Ts'in to cross. If you prefer 'bout me to change your mind, Is there no other to replace your loss? Of all the foolish youths I've seen, Most foolish you I well may ween.

2 If you, good Sir, continue to be kind, I'll hold my garments up the Wei to cross. If you prefer 'bout me to change your mind, Is there no other to replace your loss? Of all the foolish youths I've seen, Most foolish you I well may ween.

XIV. The Fung; narrative. A WOMAN REGRETS LOST OPPORTUNITIES, AND WOULD WELCOME A FRESH SUITOR.

1 Handsome the suitor was and stout, Who for me in the lane looked out: I should have gone with him I doubt.

2 Can I that suitor's form forget, Who for me in the hall did wait? That I held off I now regret.

3 I'm here, my broidered upper robe Concealed beneath a garment plain. As lovely is my lower robe, With the same guard 'gainst travel-stain. O Sir, O Sir, come and me hence convey; Your waiting chariot I shall not delay!

4 I'm here, my broidered lower robe Concealed beneath a garment plain. As lovely is my upper robe, With the same guard 'gainst travel-stain. O Sir, O Sir, if you would only come, At once your chariot should convey me home!

XV. The Tung mun che shen; narrative. A WOMAN THINKS OF HER LOVER'S RESIDENCE, AND COMPLAINS THAT HE DOES NOT COME TO HER.

1 By th' eastern gate, flat lies the ground, And madder there grows on the slope. Hard by my lover's house is found;— He keeps away, and mocks my hope.

2 Where chestnuts grow, near th' eastern gate, There stands a row, where is your home. My heart turns aye to you, its mate, But ah! to me you never come!

XVI. The Fung yu; narrative. A WIFE IS CONSOLED, IN CIRCUMSTANCES OF GLOOM, BY THE ARRIVAL OF HER HUSBAND.

1 Cold is the wind, fast falls the rain, The cock aye shrilly crows. But I have seen my lord again;— Now must my heart repose.

2 Whistles the wind, patters the rain, The cock's crow far resounds. But I have seen my lord again, And healed are my heart's wounds.

3 All's dark amid the wind and rain, Ceaseless the cock's clear voice! But I have seen my lord again;— Should not my heart rejoice?

XVII. The Tsze kin; narrative. A LADY MOURNS THE INDIFFERENCE AND ABSENCE OF HER STUDENT LOVER.

1 You student, with the collar blue, Long pines my heart with anxious pain. Although I do not go to you, Why from all word do you refrain?

2 O you, with girdle strings of blue, My thoughts to you for ever roam! Although I do not go to you, Yet why to me should you not come?

3 How reckless you, how light and wild, There by the tower upon the wall! One day, from sight of you exiled, As long as three long months I call.

XVIII. The Yang che shwuy; allusive. ONE PARTY ASSERTS GOOD FAITH TO ANOTHER, AND PROTESTS AGAINST PEOPLE WHO WOULD MAKE THEM DOUBT EACH OTHER.

1 Fretted its waters seem, Yet gently flows the stream:— A bundle of thorns 'twill not bear. Our brethren so few;— There are but I and you— Let nothing our friendship impair. People's words don't believe; They are meant to deceive:— Their purpose is but to ensnare.

2 Fretted its waters seem, Yet gently flows the stream:— A bundle of wood 'twill not bear. Our brethren are so few; There are only we two:— Let nothing our friendship impair. Trust not the people's breath; They don't deserve your faith:— Their purpose is but to ensnare.

XIX. The Ch'uh k'e tung mun; narrative. A MAN'S PRAISE OF HIS OWN POOR WIFE, CONTRASTED WITH FLAUNTING BEAUTIES.

1 My path forth from the east gate lay, Where cloud-like moved the girls at play. Numerous are they, as clouds so bright, But not on them my heart's thoughts light. Dressed in a thin white silk, with coiffure gray, Is she, my wife, my joy in life's low way.

2 Forth by the covering wall's high tower, I went, and saw, like rush in flower, Each flaunting girl. Brilliant are they, But not with them my heart's thoughts stay. In thin white silk, with head-dress madder-dyed, Is she, my sole delight, 'foretime my bride.

XXI. The Tsin Wei; narrative. A FESTIVITY OF CH'ING, AND ADVANTAGE TAKEN OF IT FOR LICENTIOUS ASSIGNATIONS.

1 Of the Tsin and the Wei Onward the broad stream pours. Women and men go by, With valerian flowers. To gentleman a lady says, "Have you been there to see the plays?" "I've been," he says, and she replies, "Let's go again, and feast our eyes. The ground beyond the Wei you'll find Large, and for pleasure well designed." So gentlemen and ladies wend Their way, in sport the day to spend, And to each other oft small peonies extend.

2 Of Tsin and Wei along The lucid waters flow, And on their banks a throng Of men and women go. To gentleman a lady says, "Have you been there to see the plays?" "I've been," says he, and she replies, "Let's go again and feast our eyes. The ground beyond the Wei you'll find Large, and for pleasure well designed." So gentlemen and ladies wend Their way, in sport the day to spend, And to each other oft small peonies extend.