THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

220 THE BOOK OF POETRY. [PART II.
The PiJi Tten; narrative. THE 'WRITER EXPRESSES HIS REGRET AT
THE ABANDONMENT OF PUBLIC LIFE BY AN OFFICER WHOM HE
ADMIRED.
1 Free let the brilliant white colt eat
The tenderest produce in my yard.
Secure it by the neck and feet;—
And this morn's pleasure safely guard.
Its owner, cherished in my heart,
Shall then with me at ease abide.
Alas that he should e'er depart.
And hermit-like his merit hide !
2 Free let the brilliant white colt eat
The bean-sprouts growing in my yard.
Secure it by the neck and feet,
This evening's joy thus safely guard.
Its owner, cherished in my heart,
Shall then be here, a guest admired.
0 could I wile him from the part
He wants to play, from men retired !
3 0 leave thy colt of brilliant white !
If thou to me would'st blithely come,
As duke or marquis, honours bright
Thou should'st obtain, and in thy home
Find endless joy. Try to restrain,
With strictest curb, thy roaming mind ;
And from the hermit-life refrain,
To which thou art so much inclined.
4 JTis vain. The brilliant white colt view,
Deep in that empty valloy stand.
Before it placed a bundle new
Of grass plucked by its master's hand.
That master as a gem I hold.
0 that, relenting, he may send
What Fll prize more than gems or gold,—
News that he still remains nay friend !
II.
IV. IV.] THE BOOK OF POETET. 221
III.
The Hmang neaou ; metaphorical. SOME OFFICER, WHO HAD WITH
DRAWN TO ANOTHER STATE, FINDS HIS EXPECTATIONS OF THE PEOPLE
THERE DISAPPOINTED, AND PROPOSES TO RETURN TO THE EOYAL DO
MAIN.
1 Thou yellow-plumaged bird, 0 spare
The paper-shrubs and fields of grain !
For me these people show no care ;—
I long for kin and home again.
That we judged ill, when we came here,
Does from their cold neglect appear.
2 The mulberry trees and fields of maize,
Thou yellow-plumaged bird, eschew !
These people are a dullard race;—
I long my brethren's face to view.
That we judged ill, when we came here,
Does from their cold neglect appear.
3 Thou yellow-plumaged bird, 0 fly
Those oak-trees, nor the millet eat!
From this bad land I back must hie;—
I long my father's kin to greet.
That we judged ill, when we came here,
Does from their cold neglect appear.
IT.
The Wo fang It'e yay ; narrative. AN OFFICER, WHO HAD LEFT THE
EOYAL DOMAIN, AND SOUGHT FOR PROTECTION IN A STATE WHERE
HE HAD AFFINITIES BY MARRIAGE, RELATES HIS DISAPPOINTMENT,
AND THE UNWORTHY CAUSE OF IT.
1 All through the fields I travelled sad,
Th' ailanthus foul my only shade.
Through our relationship I came,
Shelter to find with you and aid.
But me you show no wish to entertain ;—
Back to my State and clan I go again !
2 All through the fields I travelled sad,
And for my food the sheep's-foot cooked.
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