THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

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234 THE BOOK OF POETEY. [PART II.
2 Men grave and wise a cup may take,
And reason hold her sway.
But men benighted taste, and grow
More set on drink each day.
Let all deportment good maintain;
Heaven's gift once lost we ne'er regain.
3 All o'er the plain they gather beans,
Which they will sow again.
The grubs hatched on the mulberry tree
The sphex bears off to train.
Teach carefully your sons at home,
And good as you they will become.
4 Look at the wagtails ! Quick they leap,
And twitter as they fly.
Let us as active be, for days
And months go swiftly by.
Rise early, and go late to sleep ;
The name you bear in honour keep.
5 The greenbeaks, driven by pinching want,
Frequent the yards for grain.
Alas for poor and lonely folks,
Whom prison walls restrain !
I sprinkle rice around my door,
And to be good, Heaven's aid implore.
6 We must be meek, and cautious move,
As we were perched on trees.
AVe must be anxious, and take care,
As near a precipice.
WTe must put down our feet as nice,
As if we trod on thinnest ice.
Ill
The Kenou prvan; allusive and narrative. THE ELDEST SON AND
HEIR-APPARENT OF KING YEW BEWAILS HIS DEGRADATION, AND THE
EASE WITH WHICH THE KING WAS LED AWAY BY SLANUEBERS.
The queen of king Yew was a princess of the State of Shin, and their
eldest son, E-k'ew, had been declared heir to the throne. When Ye'iv
became enamoured of Paou Sze, the queen was degraded, and E-lrew
banished to Shin, while it was announced that a child by the favourite
BK V. in. THE BOOK OF POETRY. 235
would be the king's successor; and in reference to these events it is sup
posed that E-k'ew made this piece. See the remarks of Meccius on its
character in his "Works, VI. ii. Ill
1 To the trees that are their home,
Flying slow, the crows all come.
Other men can happy be;
Ne'er am I from misery free.
Have I Heaven offended sore ?
Surely guilt lies at my door.
Homeless thus, oppressed with grief,
Nowhere can I find relief.
2 Once the road was clear to Chow,
O'er it the rank grass grows now.
On my heart is sorrow's blight;
Ache my limbs as after fight.
Through the night, still dressed, I sigh ;
Ere its time, old age comes nigh.
Homeless thus, I find no rest,
Head and heart alike distressed.
3 Men with reverence always view
Trees that round their homesteads grew.
On their fathers all depend,
In their mothers have a friend.
From my father's loins I sprung,
On my mother's breast I hung;
Yet did Heaven my being give,
'Neath a baleful star to live.
4 Where cicadas' voices ring,
Willow trees luxuriant spring.
Deep the waters of that pool,
Fringed with reeds and rushes cool !
But like boat adrift I'm borne,
Aimless, tossed about, forlorn.
Sad my heart! I try in vain
Briefest rest from thought to gain.
5 Mark the stag's reluctant feet
Slowly from the herd retreat.
Crows the pheasant at the dawn,
And his mate is to him drawn.