4 A single rabbit on the mat, Roasted or baked:--no feast we think! But from the [drink] vase they take, Both host and guests, and joyous drink.

VIII. The Tséen-tséen che shih

1 How high those frowning rocks arise! With awe they fill the mind. Our way through streams, o'er mountains lies; Toilsome the march we find. Eastward our expedition goes, Nor has our chief one hour's repose.

2 Those frowning rocks the heights surmount, And fill the mind with dread. O'er hills, through streams, our steps we count;-- When shall our march be sped? Our warrior hastens on the track, Nor thinks he of our drawing back.

3 Look at the swine, with legs all white, Washed by the pools from stain! The moon wades through the Hyads bright, Foretelling heavier rain. He at whose word we eastward fare No leisure has for other care.

IX. The T'aow che hwa

1 Deep yellow are turned The bignonia flowers; And my wounded heart Its sorrow outpours.

2 The flowers are all gone; But green leaves are seen. Than this fate [lot] have known, Better not to have been!

3 In fish traps but stars! Ewes thin, with large head! While some may have food, Most languish, ill fed.

X. The Ho ts'aow puh hwang

1 Yellow now is all the grass; All the days in marching pass. On the move is every man; Hard work, far and near, they plan.

2 Black is every plant become; Every man is torn from home. Kept on foot, our state is sad;-- As if we no feelings had!

3 Not rhinoceroses we! Tigers do we care to be? Fields like these so desolate Are to us a hateful fate [lot].

4 Long-tailed foxes pleased may hide 'Mong the grass, where they abide. We, in box-carts slowly borne, On the great roads plod and mourn.

Part Iii. Greater Odes Of The Kingdom.

Book I. Decade Of King Wan.

I. The Wan wang

1 The royal Wan now rests on high, Enshrined in brightness of the sky. Chow as a state had long been known, And Heaven's [GOD's] decree at last was shown. Its lords had borne a glorious name; GOD kinged them when the season came. King Wan ruled well when earth he trod; Now moves his spirit near to GOD.

2 A strong-willed, earnest king was Wan, And still his fame rolls widening on. The gifts that GOD bestowed on Chow Belong to Wan's descendants now. Heaven blesses still with gifts divine The hundred scions of his line; And all the officers of Chow From age to age more lustrous grow.

3 More lustrous still from age to age, All reverent plans their zeal engage; And brilliant statesmen owe their birth To this much-favoured spot of earth. They spring like products of the land,-- The men by whom the realm doth stand. Such aid their numerous bands supply, That Wan rests tranquilly on high.

4 Deep were Wan's thoughts, sustained his ways; His reverence lit its trembling rays. Resistless came great Heaven's decree; The sons of Shang must bend the knee;-- The sons of Shang, each one a king, In numbers beyond numbering. Yet as GOD spoke, so must it be:-- The sons of Shang all bent the knee.

5 Now each to Chow his homage pays,-- So dark and changing are Heaven's ways. When we pour our libations here, The officers of Shang appear, Quick and alert to give their aid;-- Such is the service by them paid, While still they do not cast aside The cap and broidered axe,--their pride. Ye servants of our line of kings, Remember him from whom it springs.

6 Remember him from whom it springs;-- Let this give to your virtue wings. Seek harmony with Heaven's great mind;-- So shall you surest blessing find. Ere Shang had lost the nation's heart, Its monarchs all [honoured before] GOD, In sacrifice. From them you see 'Tis hard to keep high Heaven's decree.

7 'Tis hard to keep high Heaven's decree! O sin not, or you cease to be. To add true lustre to your name, See Shang expire in Heaven's dread flame. For Heaven's high dealings are profound, And far transcend all sense and sound. From Wan your pattern you must draw, And all the States will own your law.

II. The Ta ming

1 Majestic Heaven [GOD] from kings below, That they illustrious virtue show, With strictest law requires. They must not on its grace rely, Nor think that they can change defy. The House of Yin long ruled the land, Called to the throne by Heaven's command. But its last monarch, from it driven, Lost by supreme decree of Heaven The kingdom of his sires.

2 What time in Chow ruled our king Ke, Among the princesses of Che, In the domain of Yin, The second daughter of her name Had through the land a noble fame. Her from her parents Ke had sought, And to his capital he brought, And wedded her, T'ae-jin. They both could perfect virtue claim, No duty left undone. A mother soon the wife became; The child was our king Wan.

3 This our king Wan in all his way Did watchful reverence display, With clearest wisdom serving GOD, Who, pleased to see the course he trod, Him with great favour crowned. His virtue no deflection knew, But always to the right was true. The States beheld, and all approved; With loyal ardour stirred and moved, Wan as their Head they owned.

4 Throughout the land Heaven sent its glance; Whom should it to the throne advance? To Wan came the decree. While he was still in early years, By Heaven's arranging there appears She who his bride should be. North of the Heah, on Wei, she shone, The child of a great House; Then Wan, to years of manhood grown, Tendered to her his vows.

5 Like a fair denizen of Heaven Was she to whom those vows were given. The gifts he sent were deemed complete, And to the Wei, his bride to meet, Our Wan in person went. A bridge of boats across the stream He made, as did her state beseem. She crossed; to Chow they held their way. Great was the glory of the day, And glorious the event!

6 Heaven thus its grand appointment made, And Wan to all the land displayed, While still he ruled in Fung. Sin's eldest daughter was the wife, Whom Heaven prepared to bless his life, And take his virtuous mother's place. And Heaven soon gave them further grace; 'Twas from them king Woo sprung. Heaven kept and helped the child, until His summons to him came. Then Woo marched forth to do its will, Smote Yin, and won his fame.

7 Countless as forest leaves, Yin's hosts, Collected from its utmost coasts, Were marshalled in Muh's famous plain, To meet king Woo;--but all in vain. Chow to the crisis rose. Woo viewed their multitudes with fear, But Shang-foo's words soon gave him cheer:-- "With you is GOD; your doubts dispel. With Him as helper, we shall quell The pride of all our foes."

8 Vast was the plain. Each sandal car, That brightly shone amidst the war, Dashed rapidly along. Each team of steeds, black-maned and bay, Against all obstacles made way. Like mighty eagle on the wing, Shang-foo was ever near the king, Whose heart was thus made strong. At the first charge Yin's troops gave way, And took to shameful flight. That morn a long and brilliant day Displaced the previous night.

III. The Méen

1 As grow the gourds, with ever length'ning stem, From elder sires sprang ours, as we from them. When first by Ts'eu and Ts'eih our people grew, And o'er them ruled the ancient duke T'an-foo, There kiln-like huts and caves for them he made, Ere any house its walls and roof displayed.

2 The ancient duke T'an-foo came with the morn, In car along the western rivers borne, Nor stayed his steeds, until he reached mount K'e. The lady Keang came in his company. With eager eyes they travelled o'er the ground, To find a site on which a town to found.

3 The plain of Chow, with violets o'erspread And sonchus plants found sweet on such a bed, Lay wide and rich. He asked his men their mind, And [in prayer sought GOD's guidance]. Both answer gave:--"Now is the time and here!" His followers straight their homes began to rear.

4 He cheered them on, and placed them on the land, On left and right their different sites he planned. Divisions, large and small, soon marked the plain, And channels, or to irrigate or drain. From east to west the acres he defined; Nought that was needed 'scaped his active mind.

5 He named two officers who should preside O'er all these labours, and the people guide. These to direct the building work he calls; True to the plummet rise the many walls. They bind the frame-boards, till they stand aright, And rear th' ancestral [hall] in its might.

6 With earth in baskets crowding workmen came, Which then with shouts they cast into the frame. There with responsive blows the earth they pound, And trim and pare until the walls are sound. At once, five thousand cubits long, these rise, The drum unheard amidst the toilers' cries.

7 The palace next they built. Its outer gate Arose with lofty and imposing state. The inner portal of the court they reared, With massive pomp. Anon, hard by, appeared The altar [to GOD] for the land, Where the State's greatest movements should be planned.

8 Thus though his foeman's rage he could not tame, T'an-foo preserved and left a noble fame. In time the oaks and thorns were cleared away, And roads for travellers opened to the day. The savage hordes of Keun all disappeared, Panting, and trembling at the name they feared.

9 Then came king Wan, and stirred to nobler life The chiefs of Joo and Juy, who ceased their strife. Some sought our prince, whom yet they had not seen; Some, led by those who at his court had been; Some came who dreaded his avenging arm; And some, who knew he screened the weak from harm.

IV. The Yih p'oh

1 Abundant grow the oaks, and round them rise A mass of shrubs, both yielding large supplies Of firewood, or to burn or store. In grace and grandeur shone our prince and king; From left and right all haste, and to him cling, As bent from him to part no more.

2 In grace and grandeur shone our prince and king. At sacrifice [to GOD] his ministers all bring Their cups, each handle half a mace. Solemn and grave, on left and right they stand, And pour libations with a reverent hand;-- Well do such men the service grace!

3 Upon the King the boats are borne along, As to their oars the rowers bend, and strong Impel them to their utmost speed. So marched our king in his avenging wrath, His six hosts swiftly following on his path;-- How could his plans fail to succeed?

4 The Milky way reveals its span on high, With light and beauty bright'ning all the sky;-- Men view it with admiring gaze. Long lived the king, and lasting influence shed Throughout the land, where his great son displayed The glorious issues of his ways.

5 The vessels, formed of metal and of jade, By graver's tools are still more precious made;-- With grace their worth is thus combined. Unceasing were the labours of our king; East, west, north, south, his laws and rules shall bring The reverent homage of each mind.

V. The Han luk

1 Round the foot of mount Han Grow the hazel and thorn. Self-possession and ease Did our monarch adorn. Striving for his height of place, These around him threw their grace.

2 From the large cup of jade Fragrant [drink] down flow. Self-possession and ease Did our prince ever show. Could there but on him descend Rank and blessing without end?

3 Up to heaven flies the hawk; Fishes spring in the deep. Self-possession and ease Did our prince ever keep. Grand the influence he shed, As those virtues he displayed!

4 In the vessel behold How his [drink] shine clear! The red bull is ready, Nor the knife views with fear. Thus he paid the sacred rite [to GOD], Brighter blessing to invite!

5 Oaks and shrubs thickly grow, Which for firewood men hew. Self-possession and ease; In our prince all could view. Spirits [angels] cheered him in his course, Nerving him with secret force.

6 How the creepers close twine Round the branches and stems! Self-possession and ease Robed our prince as with gems. Happiness increased unsought, Nor by crooked ways was bought.

VI. The Sze-chae

1 T'ae-jin was pure, of rev'rent life, From whom our king Wan sprang. Fit was she for his father's wife, And well she loved Chow Keang. T'ae-sze inherited her fame; Through her an hundred sons there came.

2 Wan formed himself upon his sires, Nor gave their [honoured memory] pain. Well pleased were they. Next he inspires His wife. His brethren fain To follow were. In every State The chiefs on his example wait.

3 In palace see him,--bland, serene; In fane, [before GOD,] with rev'rent fear. Unseen by man, he felt still seen By Spirits [angels] always near. Unweariedly did he maintain His virtue pure, and free from stain.

4 Some great calamities there came, Which he could not control. But none his generous aim might blame, Nought darken his bright soul. Untaught, the right he ever saw;-- Reproof he needed not, nor law.

5 Grown men through him in virtue grew; Young men attainments made. Aye to himself our prince was true, Nor weariness displayed. His officers acquired great fame; To him they owed their deathless name.

VII. The Hwang e

1 Oh! great is GOD. His glance on earth He bent, Scanning our regions with severe intent For one whose rule the people should content. The earlier lines of kings had practised ill, And ruling, ruled not after GOD's just will. He therefore 'mong the States was [choosing] still. [Choosing] one in whom He could confide. From the great States He westward turned aside, And there a place did for our House provide.

2 T'ae then was chief, who made wild nature trim, And cleared the forest of the rotting limb. Impervious tracts grew pervious by him. He felled and dressed the bosky clumps and rows; He drained the marshes where the willow grows; He thinned the mulberries, rising thick and close. When this wise chieftain GOD to Chow had given, The Kwan hordes fled away, by terror driven; And sons came from the wife T'ae got from Heaven [GOD].

3 GOD looked upon the hills where T'ae the oak And thorny shrubs had thinned, and lo! there broke Paths through the firs, that human feet bespoke. The State thus founded, GOD prepared the king, And he through T'ae-pih's flight from Ke shall spring. T'ae's son was Ke, whose praises now I sing. A younger brother's heart within him glowed; He to his elder rendered all he owed, And when he fled, a patriot's heart Ke showed. So through his course his brother's flight appeared With glory crowned. Head of the name, Ke reared The throne to which Chow's way ere long was cleared.

4 Gifted was Ke by GOD with wisdom high. His judgments true drew on him every eye; With silent growth his fame spread far and nigh. Most keen, most wise, to yield or to command, And sway to exercise throughout the land, He was 'twixt king and chief a powerful band. His son, king Wan, could all his honours claim, With virtue pure, beyond the reach of blame. On him and on his sons GOD's blessing came.

5 GOD spake to Wan, "Be thou not like to those, Whose aim now flies to this, to that now goes, Whose facile wills obey each wind that blows." So grandly clomb he to fair virtue's height. When rebel Meih dared to dispute his might, And dared to challenge this great land to fight; They entered Yuen, and against Kung conspire. Then rose the king, majestic in his ire, And sent his troops to make the foe retire; His power, as all expected, to display, And, strength'ning Chow, a deep foundation lay, On which might rise an universal sway.

6 Calm in his capital, the king abode. His troops from utmost Yuen held on their road; O'er lofty hills right valiantly they strode, The foe could plant no forces on our hills, Or high or low, nor drink our springs and rills, Nor touch the pools that trickling brooklet fills. South of the K'e, and near the Wei, Wan saw Large plains, to which the masses he could draw. There now he dwelt, and to the States gave law.

7 GOD spake to Wan, "I love your virtue wise Not blatant-tongued, nor flashed before men's eyes, Not seeking fickle change, or rude emprize. All unpremeditate, and free from art, It leads you to enact the noblest part, A pattern king,--according to GOD's [will]." GOD spake to Wan, "Straight with your brethren go; And ladders take, and engines to bring low The walls of Ts'ung, and there defeat the foe."

8 The warlike engines gently first they ply, Against the walls of Ts'ung, walls broad and high, Hoping the foe would not their power defy. Captives for question, one by one, were brought; The left ears of the slain were slowly sought:-- So would they wake the foe's relenting thought. With the same object,--human life to spare, To GOD [alone] Wan sought by prayer And sacrifice. Who should resistance dare? But Ts'ung held out. The engines moved along With all their force against its bulwarks strong, At which the troops were hurled, one eager throng. Wan razed its walls, and quenched its rites in blood. The eye could scarcely tell where once it stood. Throughout the land, all feared his wrathful mood.

VIII. The Ling t'ae

1 When Wan to build his wondrous tower began, Of all its plan a scheme he drew. To do the work, in crowds the people ran, And as by magic, lo! it grew. "Be not in haste:"--so kindly said the king, But all as to a father help would bring.

2 The king was walking in his wondrous park, Where lay the does, all sleek and clean. 'Twas sweet to him their restfulness to mark, And see the white birds' glistening sheen. Then to his wondrous pond he took his way, To view the fish their bounding life display.

3 Right in the middle of a circling pool, His hall, the place of joy, he reared. For music there he made provision full. 'Twixt pillars finely carved appeared Face-boards, with tops of finest tracery, Neath which large drums and bells were hanging free.

4 On these the blind musicians did their part. Of lizard skin the drums were made. The eyeless men displayed consummate art; In perfect unison they played. The music loud resounded through the hall. What rapture did the festive throng enthral!

IX. The Héa woo

1 Kings die in Chow, and others rise, And in their footsteps tread. Three had there been, and all were wise; And still they ruled [by example], though dead. T'ae, Ke, and Wan were all in heaven, When Woo to follow them was given.

2 Yes, Woo to follow them was given. To imitate his sires, And to obey the will of Heaven [GOD], He ardently desires. Through all his course this aim endured, And this the people's trust secured.

3 Yes, Woo secured the people's faith, And gave to all the law Of filial duty, which till death Shining in him they saw. Such piety possessed his mind; Such pattern did he leave behind.

4 Thus the one man was Woo,--the One, The king, whom all did love. They saw in him the pattern son; Such sons to be they strove. The filial aim in him bright shone; In him were seen the dead and gone.

5 In Woo his sires were thus brought back [in memory]. The kings that from him spring, Continuing in his steps to walk, Upon themselves shall bring, Through myriad years, to Chow still given, The blessing of impartial Heaven.

6 Ah! yes, Heaven's blessing will descend, And men their names shall bless. Thousands from Chow's remotest end, Their praises shall express. Their sway through myriad years shall last, Nor helpers fail, strong friends and fast.

X. The Wan wang yew shing

1 Oh! the praise of king Wan Shall for ever endure. For the people he sought, How their rest to make sure. And his work he beheld Made complete and secure; And our Wan was a sovereign true!

2 'Twas the gift of high Heaven [GOD] That the throne did bestow. What success Wan achieved, When great Ts'ung was laid low! Fung he called it, and moved There, his grand state to show; And our Wan was a sovereign true!

3 He repaired its old walls, And the old moat he cleared. As his sires had oft done, So his new seat he reared. Not in haste did he build, And the son more appeared; And our prince was a sovereign true!

4 Oh! how brightly those walls Did his merit display! From all quarters they came, And would not be said nay. For to Fung they repaired, Their true homage to pay; And our prince was a sovereign true!

5 East from Fung flowed the stream That the same name did bear. 'Twas the work of great Yu Made the water flow there. And to Fung the States came, Woo their king to declare; And our king was a sovereign true!

6 Then to Haou Woo removed, And the pool-circled hall There he built, and received The submission of all. East, west, north, and south, Him their monarch they call; And our king was a sovereign true!

7 Having thought of the site, [In prayer] Woo [sought guidance]. As [GOD's guidance came], So the site was assigned. Thus king Woo dwelt in Haou, Where his city we find; And our Woo was a sovereign true!

8 Where the Fung water flows, Is the white millet grown. In the men Woo employed How his merit was shown! To his sons he would leave His wise plans and his throne; And our Woo was a sovereign true!

Book Ii. Decade Of Shang Min.

I. The Shang min

1 'Tis to the famed Keang Yuen we trace The earliest of our favoured race; And how this happened, let my verse The ancient story now rehearse. With offering pure and sacrifice, And look directed to the skies, She prayed that Heaven [GOD] would take away The deep reproach that on her lay Of childless womb; and then she trod Upon a [path] made by GOD. Straight, as she rested, she was moved, And, pregnant now, retirement loved. A son, How-tseih, ere long appeared, Whom with a mother's care she reared.

2 Lo! when her carrying time was done, Came like a lamb this first-born son. No pains of labour suffered she,-- No hurt, no strain, no injury. With omen of his future part; Did GOD thus cheer the mother's heart. He had accepted in the skies Her offering and her sacrifice;-- And thus it was she bore her son, And of birth-pangs had suffered none.

3 Once in a narrow lane exposed, The sheep and oxen round him closed, And sheltered with their loving care. Again the woodman found him, where In a wide forest he was placed, And bore him from the darksome waste. On the cold ice exposed once more, A bird, beneath the child and o'er, Stretched its great wings. When it took flight, How-tseih began to wail in fright; And loud and long his cries resound, Filling the airy region round.