I. The Kéung

1 On the wide plains, our frontiers near, The stallions, sleek and large, appear. There, sleek and large, they meet our sight; Some black, with their hind-quarters white; Pale yellow, some; some black; some bay:— For carriage teams good horses they! To the duke's thoughts we can assign no bound; Turned to his steeds, lo! thus good are they found!

2 On the wide plains, our frontiers near, The stallions, sleek and large, appear. Those stallions, sleek and large, are seen; Some piebald,—white and flushed with green, And others white, with yellow sheen; Some chestnuts; and some dapple gray:— For carriage teams strong horses they! To the duke's thoughts no limit can we set; Turned to his steeds, such is the strength they get!

3 On the wide plains, our frontiers near, The stallions, sleek and large, appear. Oh! sleek and large, those sprightly males! Some that appear as flecked with scales; Some black, with manes of spotless white; Some white or red, manes dark as night:— In carriage yoked, obedient quite! The duke's thoughts never cease and never tire; Turned to his steeds, lo! thus they rule their fire!

4 On the wide plains, our frontiers near, The stallions, sleek and large, appear. Oh! sleek and large, those stallions bright! Cream-coloured, some; some, red and white; Some, with white hairy legs; with eyes Like those of fishes, some:—men prize Such horses, grand in strength and size. His thoughts without depravity, our prince Thinks of his steeds, and such powers they evince!

II. The Yéw peih

1 How sleek and strong, how sleek and strong, Those chestnut teams that dash along! Early to court they bring, and late, Their masters, ministers of state, In council wise, quick in debate. As flock of egrets, circling round Aloft, then lighting on the ground, Those masters are. The drums resound; Having well drunk [lawful drink], they rise and dance, And thus their mutual joy enhance.

2 How sleek and strong, how sleek and strong, Those stallion teams that dash along! Early and late their masters all Are present in the palace hall, And with the duke a-drinking fall. As flock of egrets, circling round Aloft, or wheeling 'bove the ground, Are they. Anon the drums resound; Having well drunk [lawful drink], they homeward move; Pure is the mutual joy they prove.

3 How sleek and strong, how sleek and strong, Those iron grays that dash along! Early and late, their masters all Are present in the palace hall, And with the duke a-feasting fall. At last their prayer they thus express:— May fruitful years our marquis bless! His goodness may he still maintain, And leave to sons in lengthening chain! May such rejoicing long remain!

III. The Pan shwuy

1 Fair is the pool, half-circling round The college of our land. The plants of cress that there abound We pluck with eager hand. To it our prince of Loo draws nigh; We see his dragon banner fly, Free waving in the wind. And as he moves, his horses' bells Tinkle harmonious, and fast swells The crowd that comes behind.

2 Fair is the pool, half-circling round The college of our land. The pond-weed plants that there abound We pluck with eager hand. Arrived is now our prince of Loo, With team of steeds that grandly show,— Steeds, each of highest worth. His fame is great. With winning smile, And blandest look, no haste the while, His lessons he gives forth.

3 Fair is the pool, half-circling round The college of our land. The mallow plants that there abound We pluck with eager hand. The college now our prince contains. Joyous, the festive cup he drains,— The cup of spirits [lawful drink] good. His be the strength that knows not age! His be the noble course and sage,— By which men are subdued!

4 Our prince of Loo has virtue rare; His reverence we see. His every step he guards with care; The people's mould is he. In peace and war his powers are proved, His mighty sires [honoured in memory] are deeply moved;— O'er him with love they bend. Through filial duty ever paid, And without farther effort made, Blessings on him descend [from GOD].

5 Our prince of Loo has wisdom great; His virtue brighter grows. This college, glory of the State, To him its beauty owes. The tribes of Hwae will own his sway; His tiger chiefs down here will lay The ears cut from their foes. His questioners, like Kaou Yaou wise, Will here rehearse their enterprise, And captive kerns expose.

6 His numerous officers, all true, And of a virtuous mind, Will haste with martial zeal to do The part to them assigned;— Those tribes from south and east expel, Then back their triumphs come to tell, And here themselves report. The duke no judge's help will need, As calm and truthful here they plead Their claims before his court.

7 They draw their bows, with bone made strong. How whiz the arrows fleet! Their cars of war dash swift along, Eager the foe to meet. Drivers and footmen weary not, Till o'er the tribes of Hwae is got A victory entire. Your plans, O prince, be firm and true! So shall you all those tribes subdue, And quench rebellion's fire.

8 On wing they come, those owls, and rest The college trees among. Our mulberry fruits they eat with zest, Grown birds of sweetest song. So shall the Hwae tribes change their minds, And bring their tribute in all kinds Of produce rich and rare;— The ivory tusks, the tortoise big, The metals from their mines they dig;— Their fealty to declare.

IV. The Peih kung

1 Solemn the temples stand, and still, Strong, built throughout with nicest skill. From them our thoughts to Keang Yuen go, The mother of our Chow and Loo. She grandly shone with virtue rare That nought could bend. So did she share GOD's favour, and How-tseih she bore, Without a pang, or labour sore, Just when her carrying days were o'er. On How-tseih then all blessings came. That millets' times were not the same, This ripening quickly, and that slow, He knew, and first the pulse to sow, And then the wheat, where each should grow. Soon called a State, though small, to rule, T‘ae under him became a school, Where husbandry men learned to know, To sow, to reap, to weed, to hoe. Millets,—the early, black, and red, And rice that loves the watery bed;— All these through all the land were known, And of Yu's toils the worth was shown.

2 Long after How-tseih, in his line, King T‘ae arose, quick to divine Heaven's [GOD's] will, who eastward came and dwelt South of mount K‘e. There first was felt The power of Chow, and Shang's fierce sway Began to dwindle and decay. From him we pass to Wan and Woo, Continuing T‘ae's great work to do, Till in the plain of Muh 'twas given To see th' accomplished will of Heaven. There met the hosts, both well arrayed, And when Woo feared, his general said, "Let not a doubt your mind possess! With you is GOD, your arms to bless." The troops of Shang defeat sustained; Woo's men, all fire, grand victory gained. His son, king Ching, next wore the crown, And said to Tan of wide renown, Still as the duke of Chow well known, "Your eldest son, O uncle great, I will appoint to rule the State Of Loo, and there on you bestow A territory that shall grow, And help afford our House of Chow."

3 Thus first did Loo a ruler get, Who marquis in the east was set. The lands and fields, each stream and hill, Were granted to him, at his will To hold, and many States attached, Whose fealty jealously he watched. From him derived, our present chief, Son of duke Chwang, now holds the fief. With dragon banner raised aloft, Grasping the pliant reins and soft, Here comes he sacrifice to pay. In spring and autumn, no delay He makes; but soon as dawns the day, Correct his offerings appear;— The victims, red and pure, are here:— First for the great and sovereign Lord [GOD], Then for How-tseih, our sire [honoured in memory]. The victims [He] enjoys and owns, And sends abundant blessings down. Nor [He] alone, O prince, does so, But from the duke of Chow gifts flow, And all your sires their grace bestow [by His leave].

4 In autumn comes th' autumnal rite, With bulls, whose horns in summer bright Were capped with care:—one of them white, For the great duke of Chow [honoured in memory] designed; One red, for all our princes shrined. And see! they set the goblet full, In figure fashioned like a bull; The dishes of bamboo and wood; Sliced meat, roast pig, and pottage good: And the large stand. Below the hall There wheel and move the dancers all. O filial prince, your sires will bless [by GOD's leave], And grant you glorious success. Long life and goodness they'll bestow On you, to hold the State of Loo, And all the eastern land secure, Like moon complete, like mountain sure. No earthquake's shock, no flood's wild rage, Shall e'er disturb your happy age. And with your aged nobles three Unbroken shall your friendship be, In long and firm security.

5 A thousand are the cars of war. Aloft on each, seen from afar, Rise the two spears, with tassels red. In each two bows in case are laid, To frames with green strings firmly bound. Guarding those cars, and all around, March thirty thousand footmen bold, And on their helmets can be told The shells, strung on vermilion string:— Such is the force our State can bring. We'll quell the tribes both west and north, And against King and Shoo go forth. O prince, the Spirits of your dead [honoured in memory] With blaze of glory crown your head [by GOD's leave]! Give you long life, and riches great, And round you trusty helpers set, Of wrinkled back and hoary hair, With counsel wise for every care! You may those Spirits prosper thus, And make your old age vigorous, For thousands, myriads of years, With bushy eyebrows, free from fears!

6 To us belongs T‘ae's frowning height, For all in Loo the grandest sight. Both Kwei and Mung we safely keep; To farthest east our sway shall sweep, Till all the States along the sea To Loo obedient shall be. The tribes of Hwae will own our might, Proud to our prince their faith to plight. Such the memorial he shall leave! Such deeds our marquis shall achieve!

7 Both Hoo and Yih he shall maintain, And victory over Seu shall gain, Till all the States along the sea To him obedient shall be. The tribes of Hwae, the Mih whose home Is in the north, the Man who roam The south, and tribes more southern still Shall bow, submissive to his will. Prompt they shall answer to his call, And homage pay, his subjects all.

8 Oh! Heaven our prince will greatly bless, And he the eyebrows shall possess, That show long life, and Loo maintain; Both Chang and Heu he shall regain. Whatever land belonged of yore To Tan, our prince shall soon restore. Then shall his joy at feast be told To his good wife, and mother old. There too his chiefs, of virtue rare, Each in his place, the joy shall share. He thus shall all our region rule; His cup of blessing shall be full. Like child's his teeth shall still be seen, With hoary hair,—an old age green!

9 The pines from Tsoo-lae's hill were brought, And cypresses on Sin-foo sought, The trees were felled, and hewn exact. The workmen, with the nicest tact, Using of various lengths the line, Projected far the beams of pine, While rose the inner chambers great. Grand are those temples of the State, New built, the work of He-sze skilled, So wide, so deep, that all are filled With admiration of his art! How well has He-sze done his part!