In long trains ever increasing grow the gourds. When (our) people first sprang, From the country about the Tsu and the Khi, The ancient duke Than-fu Made for them kiln-like huts and caves, Ere they had yet any houses.

The ancient duke Than-fu Came in the morning, galloping his horses, Along the banks of the western rivers, To the foot of mount Khi; And there he and the lady Kiang Came and together looked out for a site.

The plain of Kau looked beautiful and rich, With its violets, and sowthistles (sweet) as dumplings. There he began by consulting (with his followers); There he sought guidance from God. The answer was to stay there and then; And they proceeded there to build.

He encouraged the people, and settled them; Here on the left, there on the right. He divided the ground, and subdivided it; He dug the ditches; he defined the acres. From the east to the west, There was nothing which he did not take in hand.

He called his Superintendent of Works; He called his Minister of Instruction; And charged them with the rearing of the houses. With the line they made everything straight; They bound the frame-boards tight, so that they should rise regularly: Uprose the hall in its solemn grandeur.

Crowds brought the earth in baskets; They threw it with shouts into the frames; They beat it with responsive blows. They pared the walls repeatedly, till they sounded strong. Five thousand cubits of them arose together, So that the roll of the great drums did not overpower (the noise of the builders).

They reared the outer gate (of the palace), Which rose in lofty state. They set up the gate of audience, Which rose severe and exact. They reared the great place of assembly, Where all gathered to pray to God before great movements were undertaken. Thus though he could not prevent the rage of his foes, He did not let fall his own fame. The oaks and the buckthorns were (gradually) thinned, And roads for travellers were opened. The hordes of the Khwan disappeared, Startled and panting.

(The chiefs of) Yu and Zui were brought to an agreement By king Wan's stimulating their natural virtue. Then, I may say, some came to him, previously not knowing him; Some, drawn the last by the first; Some, drawn by his rapid successes; And some by his defence (of the weak) from insult.