Ode I. The Tang

1 How great is GOD, who ruleth men below! In awful terrors now arrayed, His dealings seem [to us] a recklessness to show, From which we shuddering shrink, dismayed. But men at first from Heaven [GOD] their being drew, With nature liable to change. All hearts in infancy are good and true, But time and things those hearts derange.

2 Thus to the tyrant Show our king Wan said:— “Alas! alas! O king of Yin, To you the proud oppressors give their aid, And ’gainst you fierce exactors sin! Why call such men your offices to hold? O’er your affairs why such men set? ‘Heaven made them thus, so insolent and bold!’ But ’tis from you their strength they get.”

3 Thus to the tyrant Show our king Wan said:— “Alas! alas! Yin’s king so great, You honour not the good, but in their stead Oppressors whom the people hate. To you with baseless stories they reply, And thieves and robbers by them stand. Their oaths and maledictions fiercely fly, Ceaseless and deep, throughout the land.”

4 Thus to the tyrant Show our king Wan said:— “Alas! alas! O king of Yin, Fierce is your will, here in the court displayed, And only hatred thus you win. Your proper virtue you have never sought, And thus none good surround your throne. Of what true virtue is you take no thought, Hence are your nobles worthless known.”

5 Thus to the tyrant Show our king Wan said:— “Alas! alas! Yin’s king so great, Not Heaven, but spirits [strong drink], flush your face with red, That evil thus you imitate. You do in all your conduct what is wrong. Darkness to you the same as light, Your noisy feasts and revels you prolong; And day through you is black as night.”

6 Thus to the tyrant Show our king Wan said:— “Alas! alas! O king of Yin, Round you it is as if cicadas made, And bubbling soup, their ceaseless din. Things, great and small, fast to perdition go, While you pursue your reckless game. Our Middle States with indignation glow; The Demon lands as loudly blame.”

7 Thus to the tyrant Show our king Wan said:— “Alas! alas! O Yin’s great king, ’Tis Yin, not GOD, has caused this time of dread, Yin that old ways away would fling. Old men and wise may not give you their trust, But statutes and old laws remain. Now is Yin’s fortune crumbling to the dust, Because obedience you disdain.”

8 Thus to the tyrant Show king Wan did speak:— “Alas! alas! O king of Yin, For Yin its beacon was not far to seek;— In Hea’s last king its light was seen. True is the lesson in the saying taught:— ‘While leaf and branch still vigorous grow, A tree may fall. And what that fall has wrought? Its roots uptorn the cause will show.’”

Ode II. The Yih

1 Outward demeanour, cool and grave, Reveals who inward virtue have. People in common parlance say, “Wise men stupidity display.” Not so. For dulness where you find, ’Tis from defect within the mind; And if a wise man dull appear, He wrongs his native character.

2 What’s mightiest is—the man to be. This powerful everywhere we see. Where from true virtue actions spring, All their obedient homage bring. Whose views are great, and fixed his aims; Who in due time his will proclaims; Whose plans reach far; whose reverent care His outward bearing shall declare:— Him a true chief the people call, And hailed his pattern is by all.

3 Look at the present state of things! Your conduct only chaos brings. Low in the dust your virtue lies, A drunken sot whom men despise. You seize the joy before you brought, And give not to the past a thought. Oh! bear in mind the kings of old, And strive their statutes fast to hold.

4 See whom great Heaven [GOD] condemns! As flow The waters from their spring, they go To ruin all—This lesson know. Rise early, and go late to sleep; Sprinkled and swept your court-yard keep;— Thus to your people pattern be. Well to your steeds and chariots see; And bows and shafts, and weapons all, Have ready at a moment’s call. So shall you stand prepared for war, And keep the southern hordes afar.

5 What officers and people need, Give to them, both by word and deed. Your princely duties do with care; Of dangers unforeseen beware. Be circumspect in all you say, And reverent bearing still display, From censure free of man or child, Attractive ever, ever mild. A flaw in mace of white jade may By patient toil be ground away. But for a flaw we make in speech What can be done? ’Tis past our reach.

6 Words are your own. To speak be slow. Say not, “’Tis but a word.” No, no! There’s none for you your tongue can guard. O’er it yourself keep watch and ward. Answers to every word will leap; Good deeds their recompense shall reap. If friends from you with kindness meet, And subjects as your sons you treat, Your line from age to age shall live, And subjects strict obedience give.

7 When mingling with superior men, In friendly intercourse, oh! then How mild your face! what harmony! All wrong and error how you flee! When in your chamber, ’neath its light, Your conscience keep as pure and bright. Say not, “No one can see me here; The place is secret.” Be in fear. The Spirits [angels] come, but when and where No one beforehand can declare. The more should we not Spirits slight, But ever feel as in their sight.

8 O prince, a virtuous course pursue, In manner good, and fair, and true, Keep on your acts a watchful eye; Thus may you scrutiny defy! Exceed not, break not, virtue’s law;— So shall you men’s attention draw, Their pattern prized, and free from flaw. A peach one throws me; in return I give a plum. Please here discern Cause and effect together bound, In certain sequence ever found. Seek horns on lamb! It has not horns. Your sense, my son, such seeking scorns.

9 When wood is tough, and full of spring, It makes the bow with silken string. Mildness and reverence base supply For virtue’s structure, broad and high. I tell the wise man what is good;— He does it straight in docile mood. I tell the fool, and forthwith he Denies its truth indignantly. Such differences in men we find; So wide apart is mind from mind!

10 Ere you knew right from wrong, my son, I held your hand, and led you on, Showing what things were good, what bad;— Such lessons from my lips you had. And lest you should not clearly hear, I held you gently by the ear. A son since then your arms has filled; And have you still a mind unskilled? ’Tis self-sufficiency doth hold The early taught still dark when old.

11 Before great Heaven’s clear piercing eye My life seems vain; its pleasures die. Foolish and dark you still remain, Wringing my heart with constant pain. I taught you well; I never tired;— My teaching but contempt inspired. “Your teacher? No, I was your bore; You only shrank from me the more.” Ah! still the truth you do not know, Though years have made your hair like snow.

12 My son, thus plainly have I told What sages taught in days of old. Give to my counsels reverent heed;— So shall you shun each guilty deed. Lo! Heaven in anger seems to threat With utter overthrow our State. Not from a distance need we draw The proofs of Heaven’s avenging law. Great Heaven is far too wise to err. If lower sink your character, And virtue still the less you show, Your people you will plunge in woe.

Ode III. The Sang yew

1 See the luxuriant mulberry tree, That threw far round its leafy shade, Now by rude hands—sad sight to see! Stript of its leaves, a ruin made. So on our multitudes descends Oppression’s fierce and ruthless hand, My heart beneath its sorrow bends. Great Heaven [GOD], take pity on the land!

2 Eager and strong, the war-steeds prance; Falcon and other banners fly. Bristles the land with spear and lance; Wasted and peeled our regions lie. Disorder grows, and peace is fled; Where is the black-haired race of yore? Beneath the sky with ruin red Chow’s kingdom sinks to rise no more.

3 Who can arrest the march of fate [GOD’s decree]? Heaven nurtures not, but glows with ire. No town presents a sheltering gate; Where can our hurrying feet retire? When good men, sons of peace, bear sway, They smooth and knit the social state. They are not here;—who paved the way For those through whom come strife and hate?

4 Sore anguish dwells within my heart; I brood upon the country’s woes. Why was I born to have my part Now when great Heaven its anger shows? Throughout our coasts, from east to west, No quiet resting-place is found. I wander, desolate, distressed, And troubles rave, our borders round.

5 You plan, O king, and caution use? Lo! growing ills, dismembered land! Your great concern should be to choose The best, around your throne to stand. Be this your way! What burns and glows, Ere used, you in the water cool. How can your methods bring repose? Ruin awaits you, and your rule.

6 One struggles on against the wind, With breathless effort,—all in vain. So they who fain would serve thee find A baffling force, and little gain. They till the fields who might have shone High in official rank and power; For now, ambition’s impulse gone, They sow and reap, and seek no more.

7 Heaven thus inflicts death and unrest; And lo! we see a kingless throne! And still there comes the insect pest, And farmers’ hopes are overthrown. Woe! woe to our great central land! For all in peril heaves my sigh. Bereft of strength, I sadly stand, And silent view the vault on high.

8 See here a ruler, firm and good, Whom chiefs and people all revere! He keeps his heart; his plans are shrewd; He seeks for helpers far and near. See there one of a different kind, Who thinks none but himself is wise Within his narrow range confined, His actions only cause surprise.

9 Lo! ’mongst the trees, the herds of deer In concord roam throughout the wood. With us all friends are insincere; None cultivate the faithful mood. “Advance! Retreat!” thus people say; “There’s equal danger either way.”

10 Here is a sage! His views and speech Go far beyond the present time. There is a fool! With narrow reach, His smallest thoughts he counts sublime. All this before I could have told. Oh! why did fear my tongue withhold?

11 The good man see! His way is barred; He pines unused, or dwells unsought. See now the man whose heart is hard! He’s courted, and to honour brought. Such government disorder breeds; The people haste to evil deeds.

12 From the large valleys come the winds; There they collect, and thence they blow. And thus the virtuous man one finds Doing what’s good;—he must act so. But he, whose nature scorns the right, His nature vile, ’gainst good will fight.

13 By force of nature blows the wind; So men of greed will strive for pelf. Would he but hear; I’d speak my mind;— As drunk, I mutter to myself. He will not use the good; and I Deplore his course with moan and sigh.

14 Ah! friends, these lines, I know full well, Will only wake your angry thought; But random shot may sometimes tell, And bird on wing be hit and caught. Your good, and that alone, I seek, Howe’er your anger you may wreak.

15 Those hypocrites, adepts in lies, Produce the chaos of the land. The more one’s weak, the more he plies Whatever strength he can command. The people hopelessly perverse! ’Tis their vile work has wrought this curse.

16 The people show unrest,—because Those artful villains on them prey. They listen to you with applause; Behind your back what’s bad they say. Ah! friends, these charges you deny. My song is true! It does not lie.

Ode IV. The Yun Han

1 Grand shone the Milky way on high, With brilliant span athwart the sky, Nor promise gave of rain. King Seuen long gazed; then from him broke, In anguished tones the words he spoke, Well might he thus complain! “O Heaven [GOD], what crimes have we to own, That death and ruin still come down? Relentless famine fills our graves. Pity the king who humbly craves! Our miseries never cease. To every Spirit [honoured in memory] I have vowed; The choicest victim’s blood has flowed. As offerings I have freely paid [for GOD’s sake] My store of gems and purest jade. Hear me, and give release!

2 “The drought consumes us. As on wing Its fervours fly, and torment bring. With purest mind and ceaseless care My sacrifices I prepare. At thine own border altars, Heaven, And in my father’s fane, I’ve given What might relief have found. What Powers above, below, have sway, To all my precious gifts I pay [for GOD’s sake], Then bury in the ground. Yes, every Spirit has received Due honour, and, still unrelieved, Our sufferings greater grow. How-tseih [honoured in memory] can’t give the needed aid, And help from GOD is still delayed! The country lies a ruined waste. O would that I alone might taste This bitter cup of woe!

3 “The drought consumes us. Nor do I To fix the blame on others try. I quake with dread; the risk I feel, As when I hear the thunder peal, Or fear its sudden crash. Our black-haired race, a remnant now, Will every one be swept from Chow, As by the lightning’s flash. Nor I myself will live alone. GOD from His great and heavenly throne Will not spare even me. O friends and officers, come, blend Our prayers with mine; come, lowly bend. Chow’s dynasty will pass away; Its altars at no distant day In ruins all shall be!

4 “The drought consumes us. It keeps on Its fatal course. All hope is gone. The air more fierce and fiery glows. Where can I fly? Where seek repose? Death marks me for its prey. Above, no saving hand! Around, No hope, no comfort, can be found. The dukes and ministers of old [honoured in memory] Give us no help. Can ye withhold Your sympathy, who lately reigned? And parents, how are you restrained, In this so dreadful day?

5 “The drought consumes us. There on high The hills are parched. The streams are dry. Drought’s demon stalks abroad in ire, And scatters wide his flames and fire. Alas my woeful heart! The fires within its strength consume; The heats without create a gloom That from it will not part. The dukes and ministers bygone Respond not to my [cry] and moan. GOD in great Heaven, permission give That I may in retirement live, And try to heal my smart!

6 “The drought consumes us. Still I strive, And will not leave while I survive. Duty to shun I fear. Why upon me has come this drought? Vainly I try to search it out, Vainly, with quest severe. For a good harvest soon I prayed, Nor late the rites I duly paid [for GOD’s sake], To Spirits of the air and land. There wanted nought they could demand, Their favour to secure. GOD in great Heaven, be just, be kind! Thou dost not [seem to] bear me in Thy mind. My cry, ye wisest Spirits [honoured in memory], hear! Ye whom I constantly revere, Why do I this endure?

7 “The drought consumes us. People fly, And leave their homes. Each social tie And bond of rule is snapt. The Heads of Boards are all perplexed; My premier’s mind is sorely vexed; In trouble all are wrapt. The masters of my Horse and Guards; My cook, and men of different wards:— Not one has from the struggle shrunk. Though feeling weak, they have not sunk, But done their best to aid. To the great sky I look with pain;— Why do these grievous sorrows rain On my devoted head? Yes, at the mighty sky I gaze, And lo! the stars pursue their maze, And sparkle clear and bright. Ah! Heaven nor helps, nor seems to ken. Great officers and noble men, With all your powers ye well have striven, And reverently have sought from Heaven Its aid in our great fight. My death is near; but oh! keep on, And do as thus far you have done, Regard you only me? No, for yourselves and all your friends, On whom for rule the land depends, You seek security. I turn my gaze to the great sky;— When shall this drought be done, and I Quiet and restful be?”

Ode V. The Sung kaou

1 How grand and high, with hugest bulk, arise Those southern hills whose summits touch the skies! Down from them came a [mercy from GOD] to the earth, And to the sires of Foo and Shin [brought honour]. In those two States our Chow a bulwark has, O’er which the southern foemen dare not pass; And all its States they screen, and through them spread Lessons of virtue, by themselves displayed.

2 Famed for his merit was Shin’s present chief. The king with Seay planned to enlarge his fief. There, as his sires elsewhere had been, should he To all the southern States a pattern be. The earl of Shaou got charge there to provide The capital, where Shin’s chief should preside, And o’er the south a powerful influence gain. There too his sons that influence should maintain.

3 Thus to the chief the king gave his command:— “A pattern be to all the southern land. Your centre Seay, go from it onwards, till Your merit all that southern sphere shall fill.” Shaou’s earl was charged the new lands to define, And by Chow’s rules fit revenue assign. The master of Shin’s household orders got, To move betimes the harem to the spot.

4 The earl of Shaou thus the foundation cleared, On which the chief’s great merit should be reared. The city’s walls he built, and then went on To build the temple. This work grandly done, The chief receives four steeds, a noble team, Whose breast-hooks ’mid their trappings brightly gleam.

5 Those steeds were with a car of state well matched, And then the king from court the chief despatched. “Your residence,” he said, “has been my care, The south I chose. Quick thither now repair. And take this noble mace, which I confer, The symbol of your rank. Go, uncle, go; Protect the southern lands from every foe.”

6 Soon now the chief his way took from the north. The king in Mei the parting feast set forth, Thence, through the capital and southward bound, The chief of Shin in Seay at last was found. When Shaou’s earl the country had defined, And by Chow’s rules the revenue assigned, Stores of provisions had been laid aside, For the chief’s rapid journey to provide.

7 Chariots and thronging footmen were arrayed; With martial pomp the chief his entrance made. The States of Chow rejoice. They haste to bring Their warm and joyous greetings to the king. “In your great uncle,” thus they say, “you’ve found A bulwark strong. Grandly is Shin renowned! In peace and war a pattern good will he, Throughout our regions, to your chieftains be.”

8 With virtue clad, the chief of Shin shines bright;— Though mild, not weak; though strong, yet ever right. Our myriad States his powerful sway shall own, And with their praises his grand merit crown. Keih-foo penned this song, well meant, well made;— Accept, O chief, the tribute I have paid!

Ode VI. The Ching min

1 Heaven [GOD] made the race of men, designed With nature good and large;— Functions of body, powers of mind, Their duties to discharge. All men this normal nature own, Its normal virtue all men crown With love sincere and true. Heaven by our sovereign’s course was moved, And to aid him, its [servant] approved, Gave birth to Chung Shan-foo.

2 Mild and admired, this chief displays Virtues that win the heart. His air and looks a wondrous grace To all his ways impart. His rule of life the ancient law, To bear himself unmarred by flaw With earnest mind he aims. In sympathy with our great Head, Abroad the royal will to spread His constant service claims.

3 The king gave charge to Chung Shan-foo:— “Hear now what I direct. As served your fathers, so serve you, And me, your king, protect. Let all my lords your pattern see; Publish among them each decree; Speak freely in my stead. Of what goes on inform my mind, Through you let all my measures find Obedience promptly paid.”

4 Great was the charge. Our hero hears, And hastens to obey. Among the princes he appears; Of each he marks the way. Who good, who bad, throughout the land, He clearly sees. With wisdom grand He guards his life and fame. Nor day nor night he idly rests; The king’s, the One man’s, high behests His soul with zeal inflame.

5 Among the people flies the word:— “What’s soft men swallow fast; And what is for the teeth too hard Out of their mouths they cast.” But never yet did mortal trace In Chung Shan such ignoble case;— Nor soft nor hard he knows. The strong and fierce he does not dread; And on the poor or widowed head Insult he never throws.

6 Again the people often say:— “Virtue is very light,— Light as a hair; yet few can bear The burden of its weight.” ’Tis so; but Chung Shan, as I think, Needs not from virtue’s weight to shrink, That other men defies. Aid from my love his strength rejects. If the king’s measures have defects, What’s needed he supplies.

7 He asks [GOD, Lord] of the path His blessing to send down. His steeds are strong; each soldier hath A bravery like his own. Eastward they march; his charge is there. That city’s bulwarks to repair, How ardently he hies! List to the tinkling of his bells! Of his steeds’ constant tramp it tells;— The walls will soon arise.

8 Yes, on to Ts’e the hero went, With his four steeds so strong. Their eight bells told his purpose bold;— He’ll not be absent long! I, Yin Keih-foo, this song now sing. Like gentle breeze, O may it bring To his unresting mind, ’Mid all his toils and cares, some cheer! Yes, may our great Chung Shan find here The comfort I designed!

Ode VII. The Han yih

1 Grand is the guardian hill of Han! There the great Yu his work began, The land from wreck to save. Thence to the capital there leads A noble road. See there the steeds That draw Han’s lord, as he proceeds Investiture to crave. Called now his father’s seat to fill, He goes to hear the royal will. To him the king thus said:— “As served your fathers, so serve you. Be careful my commands to do. Early and late show active zeal; With reverence seek the kingdom’s weal. And thus your fealty paid Shall strengthen the great fief I give;— Marquis of Han you long shall live. What princes come not to my court Deal with, until they here resort, And thus your sovereign aid.”

2 Oh! noble was the marquis’ team. Both long and large, the steeds beseem His youthful state and port. His mace of rank he with him brought, When audience of the king he sought, And bowed within his court. The king his royal favour showed, And on him princely gifts bestowed. Those were—the dragon flag, whence streamed Its pennon that with plumelets gleamed; The brilliant yoke; the bamboo screen; The robe with dragon on it seen; Red slippers; and the hooks to shine On his steeds’ breasts; the frontlets fine, Whose carvings should their foreheads grace; The board across his car to place; The tiger’s skin, to throw around That leaning board with leather bound. Then last there came the rein-ends bright, Tipt with gilt rings,—a splendid sight.

3 The court now leaving, home he hies; But first he offers sacrifice, And prays [GOD, Lord] of the way Guidance to give. That night to stay At Too he planned. The parting feast Heen-foo there gives to speed the guest. The court sends forth its many lords, To taste the cheer the king affords. An hundred vases stand around, All with the choicest spirits [lawful drink] crowned. The mats roast turtle and fresh fish Present, and many a lordly dish. And bamboo sprouts, and tender shoots, And sauces fine, and fragrant fruits, With their rich perfume fill the air. Oh! but it was a banquet rare! It closed, and lo! before the gate, With mighty steeds, a car of state!

4 Now back in Han, its lord must wed, And home a wife shall bring, To Kwei-foo’s child his suit he paid, The niece of Fun, our king. The union fixed, in grand array, To Kwei-foo’s house he takes his way; An hundred cars attend. The tinkling music falls and swells, Emitted by their numerous bells, As on their course they wend. The glory of that day was great. Lo! round the bride in fairest state, The virgins, her companions, stand, Close following her on either hand. As lovely clouds that slowly sail, And the moon’s greater glory veil, So beautiful were they. The marquis looked, with rapture thrilled. Never was gate with splendour filled, As Kwei-foo’s gate that day.

5 Great fame Kwei-foo has got in war, And every State has seen his car; But through the land, where’er he went, To settle his dear child intent, No State like Han he saw. Oh! pleasant is the State of Han! Kwei saw the mighty streams that ran Through all its length, and then the lakes, With forests girt and tangled brakes, That admiration draw. Big bream and tench the waters fill, And in the glades on every hill Are multitudes of deer. In wilder parts the grisly bear, Tigers and wild cats, make their lair. Hunters their prey find here. Kwei saw, and pleasure filled his breast, And here his child found joy and rest.

6 The multitudes of Yen had reared Han’s walls, and made them strong. Its rulers then no foeman feared; There had they dwelt for long, The first of them a charge had got, From Han, as from a central spot, To rule the tribes around. The marquis now got wider charge, His jurisdiction to enlarge O’er all the northern ground. The Chuy and Mih to curb and awe, And bring to own Chow’s sovereign law, Would his first care require. Then stronger walls and deeper moat Would silence each rebellious note, And all with fear inspire. The fields too he must now define, And the fixed revenue assign, As in the king’s domain. His bearers shall to court repair, With skins stript from the tawny bear, The white fox and the panther red, In yearly course a tribute paid, The king’s trust to maintain.

Ode VIII. The Keang Han

1 On grandly flowed the Keang and Han; As grandly moved our mighty force. We rested not, nor idly strayed; Straight to the Hwae we held our course. Forth all our cars of war had come; Unfurled, our falcon banners flew. We rested not, nor were remiss,— Marshalled the Hwae tribes to subdue.

2 Again come to the mighty stream, The troops in martial splendour shone. Of the whole land to order brought Announcement to the king had gone. Peace through the hostile region reigned;— The king’s State breathed, and was at rest. The battle-strife no longer raged, And quiet filled the royal breast.

3 The king had charged our Hoo of Shaou, Where the two streams their waters join:— “Go, open all the country up; As law requires, its lands define. I would not have those tribes distressed, But this State must their model be. Their lands, in small and larger squares, Must stand, far as the southern sea.”

4 And now thus says at court the king:— “Great lord, your work is nobly done. Your ancestor was their support, When Wan and Woo received the throne. Compared with them, a child am I; You are the great duke’s worthy heir. Grand has your merit now appeared; Your happiness shall be my care.

5 “This jade libation-cup, and jar Of flavoured spirits [lawful drink], now receive. For further grant of hills and streams, I’ve asked [GOD’s] leave. More than your sire received in Shaou, These in K’e-chow to you I give.” Hoo, grateful, bowed his head, and said, “Great [servant of GOD], for ever live!”

6 He bowed, then rose, and loud proclaimed The gracious goodness of the king, And vowed he still would do his best, That through the land Shaou’s praise should ring. “Yes, live for ever, [servant of GOD], Display thy wisdom, spread thy fame! Thy civil virtues still go forth, Till all the realm shall bless thy name!”

Ode IX. The Chang woo

1 Nan Chung’s descendant, Hwang the Great, Grand-master, now draws near Before the king, and to him straight The king’s charge, loud and clear, Comes thus:—“My armies six forth call; What war requires make ready all; South we our course direct. Your duties reverently fulfil, And wary be lest our good will Those southern States reject.”

2 Next to the chief of Yin ’twas said:— “Charge Hew-foo, earl of Ch’ing, The ranks to range, and warning dread Make through the host to ring. Our march along the Hwae’s bank lies; Against Seu must our enterprise Rapid and sure be made. Delay we brook not, nor to hold The land we take, lest the threefold Work in the fields be stayed.”

3 The [servant of GOD] calm, trustful was, Majestic in his strength. His troops advanced, no crowded mass, Nor lines of broken length. From stage to stage, as on they went, The land of Seu with terror rent, Its people all unmanned. As when men hear the thunder’s roll, Or sudden crash, and quake in soul, So now shook all the land.

4 The king aroused his martial might, As he were moved with rage. His tiger-chiefs he sent to fight; And eager to engage Well named were they! Along Hwae’s banks Soon grandly moved the royal ranks, A captive crowd was held. Securely kept the country round, No rebel hosts a passage found, Succour to Seu to yield.

5 Numerous the legions, moving fleet, As if on wings they flew; Grand as the Keang and Han, when meet Their mingled streams the view. Solid as mountain mass they seemed, And brightly as the river gleamed, Whose waters ceaseless rush. Continuous, in order sure, Inscrutable, success secure, They marched revolt to crush.

6 The king’s plans truthful and sincere, Seu’s tribes at once sought peace. Its chiefs assembled all; their prayer Was for the royal grace. And quickly by the [servant of GOD] Was order to the country given; In solemn court he shone. Before him came the chiefs, and swore That they would break their faith no more. “The war,” he said, “is done.”

Ode X. The Chen ang

1 To Heaven [GOD] I look with longing eye, But only meet its angry frown. In restless trouble long we lie, And great afflictions still come down. Throughout the realm is nothing firm; Both high and low are in distress. In palace and in court they swarm, Whose ravages the land oppress. Wrapt in the net of crime we groan; Nor peace nor cure comes to our moan.

2 You now, O king, possess the lands, Which as their own men once could claim; And chiefs, who led their faithful bands, Are stript of wealth, and brought to shame. Men blameless, free from slightest taint, Within that fearful net are snared; While others walk without restraint, Whose guilt is openly declared.

3 A wise man builds the city wall; But [the wicked] woman [of the palace] throws it down. Wise is she? Good you may her call;— She is an owl we should disown! To [her] tongue let length be given, And step by step to harm it leads. Disorder does not come from Heaven; ’Tis [her] tongue disorder breeds. Women and eunuchs [of the palace]! Never came Lesson or warning word from them!

4 Hurtful and false, their spite they wreak; And when exposed their falsehood lies, The wrong they do not own, but sneak, And say, “No harm did we devise.” Thrice cent. per cent.! Why that is trade, And would the wise man but disgrace. Public affairs to wife and maid Must not silk-worms and looms displace.

5 Why is it Heaven thus sends reproof? Why have the Spirits [angels] ceased to bless? From the wild Teih you keep aloof, And me would in your wrath oppress. Omens of ill you slight, though rife; Nor for your outward bearing care. The good fly from the scene of strife; Ruin impends, and blank despair.

6 Heaven’s awful net o’erhangs the land, Full of more woes than tongue can tell. The good retire on every hand. What sorrows in my bosom swell! Near and more near the net of Heaven! Soon will its meshes all enfold. Good men are from their duties driven, And how can grief of mine be told?

7 The waters bubbling up make known How deep and strong the spring below; And long the inward grief has grown, From which my words of sorrow flow. Why came not this ere I was born? Why happened it ere I was dead? Yet still the sorrowing and forlorn Great and mysterious Heaven can aid. O king, your sires no more disgrace! So may you save your future race.

Ode XI. The Shaou min

1 O pitying Heaven [GOD], why see we thee In terrors thus arrayed? Famine has come. The people flee, And homeless roam, dismayed. In settled spots, and far and near, Our regions all lie waste and drear.

2 See o’er the land Heaven’s net of crime! And lo! in place appear Men idle, knowing not the time, Locusts looked at with fear, Oppressive, perverse, fond of strife!— Can such as these bring peace and life?

3 Slanderers and insolent, the king Yet sees in them no ill. Us to dread peril’s brink they bring; Our minds with care they fill. Not for a moment dare we rest, Degraded oft, and sore opprest.

4 As when the dry parched grass we see Wither for want of rain; As water-plants graft on a tree Cannot their life retain; So all things now to ruin haste. Who can their fatal course arrest?

5 ’Twas merit once that riches gained; The case how different now! Troubles through all our time have reigned, And greater still they grow. Like grain unhulled those men in place! Like fine rice these who find no grace! Ye villains, of yourselves retire! Why thus prolong my grief and ire?

6 Now empty stands and dry the pool;— No streams into it flow. The spring is idle, once so full; Unfed now from below! So for those evils all around Sufficient causes could be found; But they increase my anxious care, Lest I be caught in evil snare.

7 When our first kings the throne received, Such ministers they had As Shaou’s great chief, whom all believed. In one day he would add A thousand le, from States which came Our king’s protecting care to claim. Now in one day that space is lost! Can none the ancient virtue boast?