1 Two years after the conquest of Shang, the king fell ill, and was quite disconsolate. The two (other great) dukes said, 'Let us reverently seek guidance about the king;' but the duke of Kau said, 'You must not so distress yourselves.' He then took the business on himself, and withdrew to a cleared space, and having made a place for himself there, facing the north, he took there his own position. Holding in his hands the lengthened symbol (of his own rank), he addressed himself to God.

The (grand) historiographer had written on tablets his prayer, which was to this effect:—'O God, Your servant, the king, is suffering from a severe and violent disease;—if it be Your will to take a life, let me, Tan, be a substitute for his person. I was lovingly obedient to my father; I am possessed of many abilities and arts, which fit me to serve You. Your servant, the king, on the other hand, has not so many abilities and arts as I, and is not so capable of serving. And moreover he was appointed by You to extend his aid all over the kingdom, so that he might establish the descendants of the former kings in this lower earth. The people of the four quarters all stand in reverent awe of him. Oh! do not let that precious trust, conferred by You, fall to the ground, and (all the long line of) our former kings will also have one in whom they can ever rest. I now seek Your determination (in this matter). If You grant me (my request), I will return and wait for Your orders. If You do not grant it, I will submit to Your decree.'

The duke then prayed, and sought God's decision, and was assured that it was favourable. He said, 'According to the sign given, the king will take no injury. I, the little child, have got the renewal of his term from God, by whom a long futurity has been provided for. I have now to wait for the issue. He can provide for our One man.'

When the duke returned, he placed the tablets (of the prayer) in a metal-bound coffer, and next day the king got better.

2 Upon the death of king Wu, the duke's elder brother, he of Kwan, and his younger brothers, spread a baseless report through the

kingdom, to the effect that the duke would do no good to the (king's) young son. On this the duke said to the two (other great) dukes, 'If I do not take the law (to these men), I shall not be able to give account of my trust.'

He resided (accordingly) in the east for two years, when the criminals were taken (and brought to justice). Afterwards he made a poem to present to the king, and called it 'the Owl.' The king on his part did not dare to blame the duke.

In the autumn, when the grain was abundant and ripe, but before it was reaped, God sent a great storm of thunder and lightning, along with wind, by which the grain was all broken down, and great trees torn up. The people were greatly terrified; and the king and great officers, all in their caps of state, proceeded to open the metal-bound coffer and examine the writings in it, where they found the words of the duke when he took on himself the business of being a substitute for king Wu. The two (great) dukes and the king asked the historiographer and all the other officers (acquainted with the transaction) about the thing, and they replied, 'It was really thus; but ah! the duke charged us that we should not presume to speak about it.' The king held the writing in his hand, and wept, saying, 'We need not (now) go on reverently to seek guidance. Formerly the duke was thus earnest for the royal House, but I, being a child, did not know it. Now God has moved His terrors to display his virtue. That I, the little child, (now) go with my new views and feelings to meet him, is what the rules of propriety of our kingdom require.'

The king then went out to the borders (to meet the duke), when God sent down rain, and, by virtue of a contrary wind, the grain all rose up. The two (great) dukes gave orders to the people to take up the trees that had fallen and replace them. The year then turned out very fruitful.