THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

258 THE BOOK OF POETET. [PAET II.
The hand of skill appears in every field;
'Tis sure ere long luxuriant crop to yield.
Our lord complacent looks, and in his view
The toilers feel their zeal inspired anew.
4 The reapers soon the crops will take in hand,
Which curving down, and thick as thatch, shall stand.
Lo ! numerous stacks are built all o'er the grounds,
Rising like islands, seen from far like mounds.
Thousands of granaries must our lord prepare,
And carts in myriads home their loads shall bear.
With radiant joy each husbandman surveys
The millets stored, the rice crop and the maize.
Then all shall pray for blessing on our lord,
For myriad years.—Such shall be his reward !
VIII.
The Ta t'een; narrative. FURTHER PICTURES OP HUSBANDRY AND
SACRIFICES CONNECTED WITH IT.
1 Various the toils which fields so large demand !
We choose the seed; we take our tools in hand.
In winter for our work we thus prepare;
Then in the spring, bearing the sharpened share,
We to the acres go that south incline,
And to the earth the different seeds consign.
Soon, straight and large, upward each plant aspires ;—
All happens as our noble lord desires.
2 The plants will ear; within their sheath confined,
The grains will harden, and be good in kind.
Nor darnel these, nor wolf's-tail grass infests;
From core and leaf we pick the insect pests,
And pick we those that eat the joints and roots :—
So do we guard from harm the growing fruits.
May the great Spirit, whom each farmer names,
Those insects take, and cast them to the flames!
3 The clouds o'erspread the sky in masses dense,
And gentle rain down to the earth dispense.
First may the public fields the blessing get,
And then with it our private fields we wet!
BE VI. IX.] THE BOOK OF POETET. 259
Patches of unripe grain the reaper leaves ;
And here and there, ungathered are the sheaves.
Handfuls besides we drop upon the ground,
And ears untouched in numbers lie around ; —
These by the poor and widows shall be found.
4 When wives and children to the toilers come,
Bringing provisions from each separate home,
Our lord of long descent shall oft appear ; 4
The Inspector also, glad the men to cheer.
They too shall thank the Spirits of the air,
With sacrifices pure for all their care ;
Now red, now black, the victims that they slay,
As south or north the sacrifice they pay ;
While millet bright the altars always show ; —
And we shall thus still greater blessings know.
IX.
The Chen pe LoTi e ; narrative. THE FEUDAL PRINCES, MET AT
SOME GATHERING IN THE EASTERN CAPITAL, PRAISE THE KING AS HE
APPEARS AMONG THEM.
See on the 4th ode of Book iv.
1 Fitness for war, 'mid peace, we here acquire,
Around the Loh, whose waters, broad and deep,
Flow swiftly on. Eastward our king has come,
Of happiness and dignities the fount.
His red knee- covers, madder-dyed, shine bright; —
So his six hosts to battle he would lead.
2 Fitness for war, 'mid peace, we here acquire,
Around the Loh, whose waters, broad and deep,
Flow swiftly on. Eastward our king has come,
With gems far gleaming round his scabbard's mouth.
Long may he live ; — for myriads of years,
And still maintain the fortunes of his House !
3 Fitness for war, 'mid peace, we here acquire,
Around the Loh, whose waters, broad and deep
Flow swiftly on. Eastward our king has come,
Happy, and of all dignities possessed.
Long may he live ; — for myriads of years,
Preserving safe his many Clans and States !
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