I. The Sih-tsuh; narrative. THE CHEERFULNESS AND DISCRETION OF THE PEOPLE OF TSIN, AND THEIR TEMPERED ENJOYMENT AT FITTING SEASONS.

1 The cricket appears in the hall, And towards its close draws the year. Then let us to-day to pleasure give way, Ere the days and months disappear. But duty should have our first thought; Indulgence we strictly must bound. Take heed lest the joy our reason destroy:— The good man looks out and around.

2 The cricket appears in the hall, And the year is fast passing on. Then let us to-day to pleasure give way, Ere the days and months shall be gone. But some things our care still demand; Against all excess we must guard. Take heed lest the joy our reason destroy:— The good man thinks no toil too hard.

3 The cricket appears in the hall; The need for our carts is all o'er. Then let us to-day to pleasure give way, Ere the days and months be no more. But first think of griefs that may come; Between the extremes keep the mean. Take heed lest the joy our reason destroy:— The good man is calm and serene.

II. The Shan yew choo; allusive. THE FOLLY OF NOT ENJOYING THE GOOD THINGS WHICH WE HAVE, AND LETTING DEATH PUT THEM INTO THE HANDS OF OTHERS.

1 The thorny elms on the mountains grow, And the white elms rise where the grounds are low. You have suits of robes which you never wear; You have steeds and cars you are fain to spare. All these another will have by and by, For the time will come when you shall die.

2 The K'aou trees thrive on the mountain's brow, And the new trees rise where the grounds are low. Unwatered your courts, your rooms are unswept; Your drums and your bells all silent are kept. All these another shall have by and by, For the time will come when you shall die.

3 The varnish trees on the mountains grow, And the chestnuts rise where the grounds are low. Why not, at the feast, your lute gaily play, To add to your joy, and lengthen the day. Another's your house will be by and by, For the time will come when you shall die.

III. The Yang che shwuy; allusive. REBELLION PLOTTED AGAINST THE MARQUIS OF TSIN BY THE CHIEF OF K'EUH-YUH AND HIS PARTISANS.

1 'Midst the fretted waters The white rocks grandly stand. To Yuh we'll follow you, With white silk robe in hand, And collar of red hue, Your master to invest, And hail him lord of Tsin, Of the whole State possest. The sight of him, our princely lord, Will joy to all our hearts afford.

2 'Midst the fretted waters The white rocks glist'ning stand, To Kaou we'll follow you, With white silk robe in hand, And collar of red hue, And broidered axes fine, Your master to invest As chief of T'ang's great line. When him, our princely lord, we see, From every pain we shall be free.

3 'Midst the fretted waters The white rocks grandly show. Your orders we have heard, But not a single word Shall any from us know.

IV. The Tseaou leaou; allusive and metaphorical. SUPPOSED TO CELEBRATE THE POWER AND PROSPERITY OF HWAN-SHUH, AND TO PREDICT THE GROWTH OF HIS FAMILY.

1 What clusters so rare The pepper plants bear! A measure, luxuriant and large, they would fill. As much without peer Is this hero here! Sing hey for the shoots of the pepper still!

2 What clusters so rare The pepper plants bear! Luxuriant and large, both your hands they would fill. So generous and great This chief of our State! And it's hey for the same pepper plant still!

V. The Chow-mow; allusive. HUSBAND AND WIFE EXPRESS THEIR DELIGHT AT THEIR UNEXPECTED UNION.

1 Round and round the faggots I've bound, And the Heart in heaven shines clear. Oh! that I such an evening have found! That this good man should be here! O me! O me! With a husband like this I have nothing to fear.

2 Round and round the grass we have bound; At the corner shines the Heart. Strange that we such an evening have found! Thus to meet and never to part! O joy! O joy! That this meeting should come without scheming or art!

3 Round and round the thorns I have bound; From the door the Heart I see. Oh! that I such an evening have found! That this Beauty is come to me! O me! O me! That this lady so lovely mine only should be!

VI. The Te too; allusive. LAMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL BEREAVED OF HIS BROTHERS AND RELATIVES, OR FORSAKEN BY THEM.

1 A russet pear tree rises all alone, But rich the growth of leaves upon it shown! I walk alone, without one brother left, And thus of natural aid am I bereft. Plenty of people there are all around, But none like my own father's sons are found. Ye travellers, who for ever hurry by, Why on me turn the unsympathizing eye? No brother lives with whom my cause to plead;— Why not perform for me the helping deed?

2 A russet pear tree rises all alone, But rich with verdant foliage o'ergrown. I walk alone, without one brother's care, To whom I might, amid my straits, repair. Plenty of people there are all around, But none like those of my own name are found. Ye travellers, who for ever hurry by, Why on me turn the unsympathizing eye? No brother lives with whom my cause to plead;— Why not perform for me the helping deed?

VII. The Kaou k'ew; narrative. THE PEOPLE OF SOME GREAT OFFICER COMPLAIN OF HIS HARD TREATMENT OF THEM, WHILE THEY DECLARE THEIR LOYALTY.

1 You, of the leopard's cuff and lambkin's fur, To us have been a governor unkind; But we look back on many an ancestor, And stay, when we another chief might find.

2 Unsympathizing, violent, and rough With us poor folks from day to day are you. Man of the lambkin fur and leopard cuff, What keeps us here but hearts that still beat true?

VIII. The Paou yu; allusive or metaphorical. THE MEN OF TSIN, CALLED OUT TO WARFARE BY THE KING'S ORDER, MOURN OVER THE CONSEQUENT SUFFERING OF THEIR PARENTS, AND LONG FOR THEIR RETURN TO THEIR ORDINARY AGRICULTURAL PURSUITS.

1 The wild geese fly the bushy oaks around, With clamour loud. Suh-suh their wings resound, As for their feet poor resting-place is found. The king's affairs admit of no delay; Our millets still unsown, we haste away. No food is left our parents to supply; When we are gone, on whom can they rely? O azure Heaven [GOD], that shinest there afar, When shall our homes receive us from the war?

2 The wild geese on the bushy jujube trees Attempt to settle, and are ill at ease;— Suh-suh their wings go flapping in the breeze. The king's affairs admit of no delay; Our millets still unsown, we haste away. How shall our parents their requirements get? How in our absence shall their wants be met? O azure Heaven, that shinest there afar, When shall our homes receive us from the war?

3 The bushy mulberry trees the geese in rows Seek eager, and to rest around them close,— With rustling loud, as disappointment grows. The king's affairs admit of no delay; To plant our rice and maize we cannot stay. How shall our parents find their wonted food? When we are gone, who will to them be good? O azure Heaven, that shinest there afar, When shall our homes receive us from the war?

IX. The Woo e; narrative. A REQUEST TO THE KING'S ENVOY FOR THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF DUKE WOO AS MARQUIS OF TSIN.

1 State robes can he be said to want? His robes the seven high symbols show. But let him have them by your grant:— That peace and fortune will bestow.

2 State robes can he be said to want? The symbols six his robes display. But let him have them by your grant, And that will lasting peace convey.

X. The Yew te che too; metaphorical. SOME ONE REGRETS THE POVERTY OF HIS CIRCUMSTANCES, WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM GATHERING AROUND HIM COMPANIONS WHOM HE ADMIRED.

1 On the left of the way, a russet pear tree Stands there all alone,—a fit image of me. There is that princely man! O that he would come, And in my poor dwelling with me be at home! In the core of my heart do I love him, but say, Whence shall I procure him the wants of the day.

2 At the bend in the way a russet pear tree Stands there all alone,—a fit image of me. There is that princely man! O that he would come, And rambling with me be himself here at home! In the core of my heart I love him, but say, Whence shall I procure him the wants of the day.

XI. The Koh sang; allusive and narrative. A WIFE MOURNS THE DEATH OF HER HUSBAND, REFUSING TO BE COMFORTED, AND WILL CHERISH HIS MEMORY TILL HER OWN DEATH.

1 The dolichos over the thorn tree grows; Its shoots o'er the waste the convolvulus throws:— Thus finds its proper aid each plant. He whom I loved, my husband, from me gone, I sadly mourn my lot, and dwell alone, Doomed thus my heart's support to want.

2 The dolichos twines round the jujube tree; The tombs with convolvulus covered we see:— Each plant thrives in its proper place. He whom I loved, the husband of my heart, Is here no more, and I remain apart, Nor can my life's strength now embrace.

3 Bright in our room was the pillow of horn, And coverlet broidered the couch to adorn, When first in one was blent our fate. The husband of my heart, whom I admired, Is here no more, and I must live retired, And for each morning lonely wait.

4 Each day a day of the long summer light, Each night as long as the dark winter night;— Shall I in solitude here pine. A hundred years will seem their course to run Ere of this mortal life the time is done, And him within the tomb I join.

5 Each night as long as the dark winter night, Each day a day of the long summer light;— To me no comfort e'er will come. My life will seem to last a hundred years, Till in my death its welcome close appears, And to his chamber I go home.

XII. The Ts'ae ling; metaphorical. AGAINST GIVING EAR TO SLANDERERS.

1 When told to Show-yang's top to go, The ling plants there to take, The speaker false at once you'd know, Nor heed the words he spake. And so, when men their stories feign, To credit them be slow. Put them aside, put them aside; Belief should slowly grow. 'Tis thus the stories told by men Subside, nor farther go.

2 When told to search round Show-yang's base, Sow-thistles there to find, The search you'd think a hopeless case, Nor would the counsel mind. And so, when men their stories feign, Do not approve in haste. Put them aside, put them aside; Assent should be repressed. 'Tis thus the stories told by men Soon unregarded rest.

3 When told on th' east of Show-yang hill For mustard-plants to try, You'd know the quest would speed but ill, And let the words pass by. And so, when men their stories feign, No hearing to them lend. Put them aside, put them aside, Your faith loth to extend. 'Tis thus the stories told by men Come shortly to an end.