I. The Ke ming; narrative. A MODEL MARCHIONESS STIMULATING HER HUSBAND TO RISE EARLY, AND ATTEND TO HIS DUTIES AT COURT.

1 His lady to the marquis says, "The cock has crowed; 'tis late. Get up, my lord, and haste to court. 'Tis full; for you they wait." She did not hear the cock's shrill sound, Only the blue flies buzzing round.

2 Again she wakes him with the words, "The east, my lord, is bright. A crowded court your presence seeks; Get up, and hail the light." 'Twas not the dawning light which shone, But that which by the moon was thrown.

3 He sleeping still, once more she says, "The flies are buzzing loud. To lie and dream here by your side Were pleasant, but the crowd Of officers will soon retire; Draw not on you and me their ire!"

II. The Seuen; narrative. FRIVOLOUS AND VAINGLORIOUS COMPLIMENTS INTERCHANGED BY THE HUNTERS OF TS'E.

1 "How agile you are!" 'Twas thus that I spoke, What time near to Naou together we drew. Two boars three years old from cover then broke, And we in our chariots after them flew. The chase being over, you said with a bow, "If agile am I, as active art thou!"

2 "How fine is your skill!" So said I to you; 'Twas when near to Naou we met on the way. That moment two males attracted our view, And at them we dashed, to make them our prey. The chase being over, you said with a bow, "If skilful am I, not less so art thou!"

3 "How you know your art!" I said to you then, When south of mount Naou together we came. That moment two wolves came under our ken, And hotly we drove, well pleased with the game. The chase being over, you said with a bow, "If I know my art, as artful art thou!"

III. The Choo; narrative. A BRIDE DESCRIBES HER FIRST MEETING WITH HER BRIDEGROOM.

1 He waited 'tween the gate and screen, With ear-plug strings of white silk seen. The plugs themselves had hwa-stones' sheen.

2 He waited in the court and stood, With ear-plug strings of silk green-hued. The plugs themselves were yung stones good.

3 There in the hall he stood and stayed. Of yellow silk his plug-strings made. The plugs of fine ying gems displayed.

IV. The Tung fang che jih; narrative. THE LICENTIOUS INTERCOURSE OF THE PEOPLE OF TS'E.

1 When the sun is in the east, That lovely girl [my wife] I see. In my chamber she appears; There fronting me is she. She treads upon my footsteps, And quickly comes to me.

2 When the moon is in the east, That lovely girl I see. 'Twixt door and screen she passes; 'Twixt screen and door is she. She treads upon my footsteps, And hastes away from me.

V. The Tung fang we ming; narrative and metaphorical. THE IRREGULARITY AND DISORDER OF THE COURT OF TS'E; AS SEEN ESPECIALLY IN THE TIME OF GIVING THE MORNING AUDIENCE.

1 I was putting my clothes on upside down, Before the eastern sky was clear. I was putting my clothes on upside down, When a call to the court came here.

2 I was putting my clothes on upside down, Ere showed the east the rising flame. I was putting my clothes on upside down, When from the court an order came.

3 On garden fence, made but of willow wands, E'en reckless fellows look with fear. Our prince can't tell the night from dawn;— Too soon, or late, his calls appear!

VI. The Nan shan; allusive. ON THE DISGRACEFUL CONNEXION BETWEEN WAN KEANG, THE MARCHIONESS OF LOO, AND HER BROTHER;—AGAINST SEANG OF TS'E AND HWAN OF LOO.

1 There where the South hill rises high and great, A male fox sits, suspicious and alone. Ts'e's daughter went to Loo, to wed her mate; The pathway, plain and easy, is well known. From you, her brother, thus away she went; Why further think of her, like fox intent?

2 The dolichos five kinds of shoes supplies, Made always so that two shall form a pair. On caps they match the strings that serve for ties, The same in length, not differing a hair. The road to Loo all plain and easy lies, By which Ts'e's daughter joined her husband there, Since she has travelled that way leaving you, Why do you her continue to pursue?

3 Hemp seed to sow, this is the course we take,— The acres lengthwise and across we dress. Taking a wife, the thing at once we make Known to our parents, and their leave possess. Since, prince of Loo, Ts'e's daughter thus you took;— Why on her evil ways indulgent look?

4 How do we act when firewood we would split? 'Tis through the axe in hand that we succeed. Taking a wife, this form we must admit,— Without the go-between we cannot speed. When you brought home your wife, all this was done;— Why let her now to such excesses run?

VII. The Foo t'een; metaphorical. THE FOLLY OF PURSUING OBJECTS BEYOND ONE'S STRENGTH.

1 The weeds will but the ranker grow, If fields too large you seek to till. To try to gain men far away With grief your toiling heart will fill.

2 If fields too large you seek to till, The weeds will only rise more strong. To try to gain men far away Will but your heart's distress prolong.

3 Things grow the best when to themselves Left, and to nature's vigour rare. How young and tender is the child, With his twin tufts of falling hair! But when you him ere long behold, That child shall cap of manhood wear!

VIII. The Loo ling; narrative. THE ADMIRATION IN TS'E OF HOUNDS AND HUNTERS.

1 Lin-lin go the hounds; Lin-lin the hounds go. Their master is kindly and good, as we know.

2 With double rings furnished, on go the hounds; In goodness and grace their master abounds.

3 Three rings at their necks, they rush to the chase; Their masters famous for power and for grace.

IX. The Pe kow; metaphorical. THE BOLD LICENTIOUS FREEDOM OF WAN KEANG IN RETURNING TO TS'E;—AGAINST DUKE CHWANG OF LOO, HER SON.

1 Rent is the basket at the dam, Where bream and kwan abound; As useless is the prince of Loo, In vigour wanting found. Ts'e's daughter now to Ts'e comes back, Her followers as a cloud; Her son should hold her fast in Loo, Her wickedness to shroud.

2 Rent is the basket at the dam, Where bream and tench abound; As useless is the prince of Loo, In vigour wanting found. Back comes Ts'e's daughter, with a shower Of followers at her side; Her son should hold her fast in Loo, Her wanton ways to hide.

3 Rent is the basket at the dam; Fish in and out can go; As useless is the prince of Loo, And vigour fails to show. Back comes Ts'e's daughter, with a stream Of followers behind; Her son should hold her fast in Loo, From such lewd ways confined.

X. The Tsae Meu; narrative. THE OPEN SHAMELESSNESS OF WAN KEANG IN HER MEETINGS WITH HER BROTHER.

1 On comes her chariot, fast and loud, With screen of bamboos firmly wove, And leather bright, vermilion-hued;— Ts'e's daughter hastes to lawless love. To this from Loo the road is smooth and plain; 'Twas but last night she started with her train.

2 Her four black steeds are beautiful; Soft are the reins the driver holds. The road from Loo is smooth and plain;— Ts'e's daughter's heart its joy unfolds. Full of complacency is she; nor shame Abashes her, nor fear of evil name.

3 Broad flow the waters of the Wan, And crowds of travellers go by. The road from Loo is smooth and plain;— She looks around with careless eye. That many see her gives her no concern; Her thoughts to her licentious fancy turn.

4 On sweep the waters of the Wan; More numerous are the travellers now. The road from Loo is smooth and plain;— Ts'e's daughter shows her brazen brow. At ease and proud, she holds her onward way, Careless of what all think of her display.

XI. The E tseay; narrative. LAMENT OVER DUKE CHWANG OF LOO, NOTWITHSTANDING HIS BEAUTY OF PERSON, ELEGANCE OF MANNERS, AND SKILL IN ARCHERY.

1 A grand man is the prince of Loo, With person large and high. Lofty his front, and suited to The fine glance of his eye! Swift are his feet. In archery What man with him can vie? With all these goodly qualities, We see him and we sigh!

2 Renowned through all the land is he, The nephew of our lord. With clear and lovely eyes, his grace May not be told by word. All day at target practice, He'll never miss the bird. Such is the prince of Loo, and yet With grief for him we're stirred!

3 All grace and beauty he displays, High forehead, and eyes bright. And dancing choice! His arrows all The target hit aright. Straight through they go, and every one Lights on the self-same spot. Rebellion he could well withstand, And yet we mourn his lot!