4 When he could only creep, his face With glance of wisdom beamed, and grace. When he could feed himself, then fain Was he to sow large beans and grain. His beans with fine luxuriance grow; His rows of rice rare beauty show; His hemp and wheat adorn the field; His gourds abundant produce yield.

5 In husbandry this was his course:-- Wisely to aid kind nature's force. He cleared the grass, and ploughed the land, Where yellow grain should waving stand. The living germ with care was nurst, Till from its sheath it nearly burst. 'Twas then as seed laid in the ground:-- It sprang, and soon in ear was found. Strong grew the plant, and fine, and sweet, Hung down anon, each grain complete.-- Tae's State to rule for him was meet.

6 There he gave out the beauteous grains:-- Millets,--the black, and what contains Two kernels, and tall red, and white. Largely they planted with delight The double-kernelled, and the black, Which, as they reap, they quickly stack. The red and white their labour share, But these, when reaped, they homeward bear, And for the solemn rites prepare.

7 And still those rites we here maintain. Some in the mortar hull the grain; Some take it thence; then sift it some; The while fresh treaders constant come. Washed in the dish with rattling sound, It is distilled; the steam floats round. We fix the day, and then with prayer And fasting for the rites prepare. Upon the burning fat we lay The southernwood, and next essay, With ram, [thanks to GOD for] the way [We render]. Flesh boiled or roast For [guests] we boast. We with these rites How-tseih [remember], And welcome in the opening year.

8 The stands of wood and earthenware Grand store of various offerings bear. Soon as their fragrant odours rise, GOD, pleased, accepts the sacrifice. Fragrant it is, and timely paid;-- 'Twas How-tseih its foundation laid. Chow's lords and kings, down to this time, Have duly kept the rite sublime.

Ode I (second version)

1 The first, born of our people From the famed Keang Yuen sprang. "Rehearse to us her story now, As ancient poets sang." With holy rites and offerings, She prayed for children dear. She trod the [paths] that GOD had made, And, resting, felt Him near. Life's mystery was kindled, And men's haunts she did shun. The hero in due time she bore, Our How-tseih, her great son.

2 Her circling months completed, He gently entered life. She felt no throe nor pang, to mark Existence' opening strife. Thus GOD foreshowed the wonder, And gave the mother joy. He had approved her sacrifice, And sent the gentle boy.

3 Once in a narrow alley, Before the trampling herd, They set him, but all-warily Nor sheep nor oxen stirred. They placed him in a forest, But woodmen found him there. An eagle caught him from the ice, And bore him through the air. The gentle bird departed, How-tseih began to wail. His cry was loud and long, and rang Along the forest trail.

4 Majestic, thoughtful aspect, Marked him ere he could stand. While other children eat their beans, With his he sowed the land. The beans shot up luxuriant; His rice plots graceful sprung; His hemp and wheat grew close and strong; His gourds all heavy hung.

5 How-tseih, with art sagacious, Aimed to give nature play. He only sowed the golden grain, When weeds were cleared away. And as it throve, he tilled it, Till, bursting from the ear, He cast it in the ground as seed, To spring another year. It sprang with heavy fruitage; It waxed both strong and good; And then it drooped, each grain complete.-- Soon lord of Tae he stood.

6 He gave the people millets,-- Single, and double-grained. They sowed it all, red, white, and black, Till not a seed remained. The black and double-kernelled Were stacked where they were grown. The red and white they homeward bore, For rites How-tseih made known.

7 "Now tell me of the offerings, In [memory of] him made." Some clean the grain; some pound and sift; And some upon it tread. It rattles in the vessels; It trickles from the still. The fragrant steam floats far around, And all the air doth fill. We ask [guidance of GOD]; O'er night we fast and pray. Fat burnt with herbs, a ram bleeds for [GOD, who guides our way]. The victims' flesh then roasted, Or broiled, we reverent dress; And thus we hail the coming year, And GOD [praise], and How-tseih bless.

8 We crown the stands with offerings,-- Stands made of earth or wood. The fragrance rises, floats, ascends, A savour sweet to GOD. Fragrant it is, and timely;-- 'Twas How-tseih showed the way. No pious soul has found it vain, Down to this distant day.

II. The Hing wei

1 See how the rushes spring Thickly along the way! Ye browsing herds, no foot Upon those rushes lay! Grown to their height ere long, They soft and rich shall shine. Close as the rushes grow, Should brethren all combine. Let all at feast appear,-- None absent, none thought mean. Mats for the young be spread! On stools let elders lean!

2 Lo! double mats are spread, And stools are featly set. Servants in waiting stand; See host and guests are met. He pledges them; they him; He drinks; again they fill, Sauces and pickles come, Roast meat and broiled; and still Palates and tripe are brought. Then lutes and drums appear. Singers fine concord make;-- The joyous feasters hear.

3 The feasting o'er, from bow, Lacquered and strong and bright, Four well-poised shafts each sends, That in the target light. The guests are ranged as they The mark have nearest hit. They shoot again; the shafts Are fairly lodged in it. Their bearing then is judged; Each takes his final place, As mild propriety Has round him thrown its grace.

4 The long-descended king Presides, and ends the feast. With [drink] sweet and strong From vase he cheers each guest. And for the old he prays, While all with rapture glow, That they the wrinkled back And whitening hair may show; Striving with mutual help In virtue's onward ways, And brightest happiness Thus crown their latest days.

III. The Ke tsuy

1 You gave us of the brimming cup, And crowned us with your grace. Great king, for ever may you live With brightening happiness!

2 You gave us of the brimming cup, And dainty viands spread. May you, great king, for ever live! Your splendour never fade!

3 Yea, perfect may your wisdom be, Achieving its high aim! "First ends in last; last springs from first;" Revealed, that message came.

4 What said the message [of GOD for] your sires? "Vessels and gifts are clean; And all your friends, assisting you, Behave with reverent mien.

5 "Most reverently you did your part, And reverent by your side Your son appeared. On you henceforth Shall ceaseless blessings bide."

6 "What shall the ceaseless blessing be?" That in your palace high For myriad years you dwell in peace, Rich in posterity.

7 "What of the sons shall from you flow? Through you, thus blessed of Heaven [GOD], Those myriad years of royal sway Shall to your sons be given.

8 "And whence shall come that lustrous race? From your heroic wife. From her shall come the line of sons To live again your life."

IV. The Fow e

1 How the flocks of the wild-ducks and widgeons play, As they now skim the King, and now seek their prey! How happy the birds! And not less joy inspires Those who yesterday [remembered] your sires. Your viands are fragrant; your [drinks] are clear. They feast and they drink; and all happy appear. Complete is the honour you render them here!

2 The wild-ducks and widgeons now see on the sand, As along the King's banks they move or they stand! How happy the birds! And now here, as their due, Those who sat [in memory of] your sires are feasted by you. Abundant your [drinks], your viands are good. They feast and they drink in their happiest mood. Ne'er before on the summit of honour they stood.

3 Round the islets the wild-ducks and widgeons fly, And on the land settle with loud scream and cry. How happy the birds! And with joy those are filled, Who with fathers long gone were yesterday thrilled. Your viands are sliced, and your [drinks] are strained. They feast and they drink, with new happiness gained From this glory they now from you have obtained.

4 The wild-ducks and widgeons behold on the wing, Where their tribute the streamlets pay to the King! How happy the birds! And how honoured are those, In whom your sires [were yesterday honoured in memory]! The feast in the ancestral [hall] is spread, Where blessing and dignity most are conveyed, Of each feaster what happiness now crowns the head!

5 Where the stream through the rocks its way seems to forge, Many wild-ducks and widgeons rest in the gorge. How happy the birds! As complacent are they, Through whom your great fathers [were remembered]. Your exquisite [drinks], your meat broiled and roast, That they have partaken those feasters can boast. Henceforth shall their minds by no troubles be tossed.

V. The Kea lok

1 What brilliant virtue does our king, Whom all admire and love, display! People and officers all sing The praise of his impartial sway. Heaven [GOD] to his sires the kingdom gave, And him with equal favour views. Heaven's strength and aid will ever save The throne whose grant it oft renews.

2 By virtue sought, fresh honours shine; All other pleasures follow sure. Admired and reverent, lo! his line Through myriad ages shall endure. From error free, to duty true, They rule the States, they fill the throne. Nor shall they fail with homage due The olden statutes aye to own.

3 A bearing high and self-restrained May they in all their conduct show! And thus their virtuous fame unstained With lapse of time still brighter grow! From jealousies and envies free, May they advance the good to place! And blessings, boundless in degree, Their rule through all our regions grace!

4 When so those [servants of GOD] shall sway, Nor greater cares their care withdraw From smallest things, friends shall obey, And find repose beneath their law. Love shall around them cast its chain, Kings who not idly fill their seat. The people restful peace shall gain, And each king with their praises greet.

VI. The Kung Léw

1 Duke Lew we sing, with generous ardour fired, Whose breast his people's good alone inspired. In their old seat no longer could he rest; Its narrow limits forced him from the west. The produce of the many fields he reaps; What can be spared, in store he safely keeps. Here in the barn, there in the field, it lies; His forethought then wrapper and sack supplies, This hoard of grain and dried meat to contain, When they should move, a glorious fame to gain. Then ready further with his weapons all, Bows, arrows, shields, spears, axes great and small, His people to the march he forth did call.

2 Duke Lew we sing, with generous ardour fired, Whose breast his people's good alone inspired. O'er all the plain he ranged with eager eye, But could not space for thronging crowds descry. In pity for the numbers thus confined, He told to all the measure in his mind. Loth to abandon their much-loved repose, At first, but not for long, their murmurs rose. Each lofty hill-top now the duke ascends; Back to the plains he comes, and eastward bends His course. Lo! at his girdle-pendant seen, The jade, and gems of yaou, emit their sheen! Sheathed in its glittering scabbard hangs the sword, That safety from the foeman shall afford.

3 Duke Lew we sing, with generous ardour fired, Whose breast his people's good alone inspired. To Pin now come, where gush the hundred springs, His followers all about him there he brings. Round him there lay the bright and ample plain; He climbs a ridge, a wider view to gain. Behold! a spacious table-land he spies, Where his new settlement may well arise. For multitudes large space could be assigned, And immigrants still room for booths would find. Here then he dwelt, and would his plans unfold; Here counsel took, and heard what others told.

4 Duke Lew we sing, with generous ardour fired, Whose breast his people's good alone inspired. When on the height his rest he thus had found, His officers all stand in state around. The mats are spread, with stools upon them set; Both old and young, they here are joyous met. From herd and pen the victims both are killed; Dried gourds for cups are with the [drink] filled. So does the duke his friends and chieftains feast; Him as their lord and ruler hails each guest.

5 Duke Lew we sing, with generous ardour fired, Whose breast his people's good alone inspired. When now his bounds extended far and wide, He marked the shadows, thereby to decide The east and west, the north and south, all round. He clomb the ridges, and, observing, found What tracts were in the light, what in the shade. The springs and streams he carefully surveyed. Three armies of defence were made. Each plain And marsh was measured; and to till the grain An equal system framed: the farmers wrought, And shared the produce, after they had brought The fair proportion for himself he sought. West of the hills the land he also tilled, And grandly Pin with men and wealth was filled.

6 Duke Lew we sing, with generous ardour fired, Whose breast his people's good alone inspired. At first rude homes their purpose served in Pin; Ere long the Wei in boats he crossed, to win Whetstones and iron. Dwellings now they rear, And make-shift huts before them disappear. The houses good, their boundaries well defined, The people multiply, and fortune kind Attends their course. The vale of Hwang they fill On either side. The Kwo vale then they till. Still grow their numbers; through the Juy they go; Tracts widely spread now Lew's dominion know.

VII. The Héung choh

1 Bring water from the distant pool, And let it settle in a jar. Millet or rice 'twill steam--such use May come from things that paltry are. You are our happy, courteous king; On you a noble duty lies. Father and mother, joined in one, With all the people sympathize!

2 Bring water from the distant pool, And let it settle in a jar. A spirit-vase 'twill wash;--such use May come from things that paltry are. You are our happy, courteous king, Born subject to a noble law. Like centre to which all should turn, So you the people ever draw.

3 Bring water from the distant pool, And let it settle in a jar. All things 'twill serve to cleanse;--such use May come from things that paltry are. You are our happy, courteous king, Set to fulfil a noble end. The centre in which all have rest, The people's hearts to you should tend.

VIII. The Keuen o

1 The south wind swept across the hill; Its whistling sound each nook did fill. Our happy, courteous king Was there, and, as he roamed about, In tuneful notes his joy gave out. Then I began to sing,

2 "You roam, with jocund spirits blest, And now, serene, at ease you rest, O happy, courteous king! May you your destined years fulfil, And, like your noble fathers still, Life to good issue bring!

3 "How vast and glorious is your realm, Where peace sits steadfast at the helm, O happy, courteous lord! May you your destined years complete, While ever as their host you treat All [guests] at your board!

4 "Heaven [GOD] to your sires assigned the crown, To you 'mid greatest peace come down, O happy, courteous king! Through all your term of years, may joy And happiness without alloy, Their charm around you fling!

5 "Men filial proved, and virtuous, stand Near to your throne on either hand, Wise guidance to afford. Like wings they bear you up on high, Where you their pattern all descry, O happy, courteous lord!

6 "Like mace of jade, pure, clear, and strong, What majesty and grace belong To those, your helpers true! The hope of all, their praise all sing. Through them, O courteous, happy king, The nation's guide are you.

7 "See how the phoenixes appear, And their wings rustle on the ear, As now they settle down! Such are those noble men who wait, O happy king, upon your state, The servants of your crown!

8 "The male and female phoenix, lo! With rustling wings about they go, Then up to heaven they soar. Such are those noble men who stand, Prompt to obey your least command;-- None love your people more.

9 "Hark how the phoenixes emit Their notes, as on that ridge they sit! There the dryandras grow, And on its eastern slope they rise With richer growth; and thence the cries Sweet and still sweeter flow!

10 "Numerous your chariots! Fleet your steeds, And trained! Your name for noble deeds Shall be renowned for long. O king, these verses I have made, And humbly at your feet they're laid, Inspired by your own song."

IX. The Min laow

1 Yes, burdened sore, the people live in grief, But we perchance may give them some relief. This is the nation's heart.--Show kindness here, And through our regions peace will re-appear. On wily flatterers look with angry frown, Thus warning those who conscience do not own. With fierce oppressors deal by strictest law, Till of Heaven's [GOD's] will they learn to stand in awe. Gentle to men from far, assist those near;-- So shall the king be strong, with nought to fear.

2 Yes, burdened sore, the people live in grief, But we perchance may give them some relief. This is the nation's heart.--Here kindness show, And hither all will come with constant flow. On wily flatterers look with angry scorn;-- Lo! noisy braggarts of their pride are shorn. The fierce oppressors with strong hand repress;-- This course the people's sufferings shall redress. What service you have done, keep on to do;-- So shall the king enjoy his rest through you.

3 Yes, burdened sore, the people live in grief, But we perchance may give them some relief. Show kindness here.--This is the nation's heart;-- Repose will spread from this to every part. The indignant face to wily flatterers show, Thus awing those whose deeds no limits know. The fierce oppressors check with firmest will, So hindering them from acting out their ill. Then let us keep ourselves with reverent care, And to the virtuous for their help repair.

4 Yes, burdened sore, the people live in grief, But we perchance may give them some relief. This is the nation's heart.--Show kindness here, And thus dispel the people's anxious fear. To wily flatterers no indulgence give, Thus warning all who but for evil live. The fierce oppressors with strong hand keep down, That so the right no more be overthrown. As children, for such trust unfit are you, But vast the service which you have to do!

5 Yes, burdened sore, the people live in grief, But we perchance may give them some relief. Show kindness here.--This is the nation's heart;-- So shall you soothe and heal the people's smart. View wily flatterers with indignant eye, And from the court the parasites will fly. 'Gainst fierce oppressors wage determined fight, And thus from vile reversal save the right. The king us all as priceless jade would prize;-- Thus therefore I reprove you and advise.

X. The Pan

1 Reversed is now the [order of the realm];-- The lower people groan beneath their load. The words you speak,--how far from right are they! The plans you form no reach of thought display. "Sages are not, no guidance have we here!" So say you, but your words are not sincere. Through this your plans are narrow and confined;-- I therefore warn you, and speak out my mind.

2 Calamities Heaven [GOD] now is sending down;-- Be not complacent, but the crisis own. Such movements now does angry Heaven produce;-- Be not indifferent and your trust abuse. If in your counsels harmony were found, The people's hearts in union would be bound. If to speak kind and gentle words you chose, How soon would these their restless minds compose!

3 You have your duties; mine are not the same. King's servants all,--such is our common name. I come your comrade, with you to advise, But you resent it, and my words despise. Urgent the matters I would fain submit! O think them not for laughter matters fit! Remember what in days of old they spake:-- "With grass and fuel-gatherers counsel take."

4 Heaven now exerts a fierce and [severe] sway;-- Is this a time your mockeries to display? I'm old, but speak with tongue that never lied, While you, my juniors, are puffed up with pride. Never a word of age have I expressed, But saddest themes you make a theme for jest. The troubles soon like blazing fires shall rage, Beyond our power to lessen or assuage.

5 Heaven now regards us with its [wrath];-- Boast not yourselves, nor try men to cajole. Good men who see your reason thus o'ercome, Like [the dead], are dumb. The land with sighs and groans the people fill, Yet we dare not attempt to probe their ill. The wild disorder all their means devours, But they know not one kindly act of ours.

6 You hear the whistle; straight the flute you hear;-- Heaven's slightest touch the people quick revere. As one half mace you on the other lay;

As something light you touch and bring away;

An easier task you could not undertake:—

Think it not hard the people good to make.

Perversities they have, and not a few;—

Perversity of yours let them not view.

7 Men of great virtue like a fence are found; The multitudes, as walls, the king surround. Great States the kingdom from barbarians shield; Great families, as bulwarks, safety yield. The cherishing of virtue gives repose; The king, by brethren guarded, laughs at foes. Let not the strong wall crumble in the dust; Let not our king have none in whom to trust.

8 The wrath of Heaven [GOD] revere with trembling awe;— From it let no vain sport your thoughts withdraw. Revere Heaven’s changing moods with fear profound, And, thoughtful, fly from pleasure’s whirling round. Great Heaven on you its clearest glance directs, And all your doings carefully inspects. Far sees great Heaven with its all-piercing eye;— And watches you amid your revelry.