THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

282 THE BOOK OF POETEY. [PART II.
2 Those frowning rocks the heights surmount,
And fill the mind with dread.
O'er hills, through streams, our steps we count ;-
When shall our march be sped ?
Our warrior hastens on the track,
Nor thinks he of our drawing back.
3 Look at the swine, with legs all white,
Washed by the pools from stain !
The moon wades through the Hyads bright,
Foretelling heavier rain.
He at whose word we eastward fare
No leisure has for other care.
ix. .
The T'eaou che hwa; metaphorical. THE WRITER LAMENTS HIS
SIISEBY AMIDST AND IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE GENERAL DECAY OF
THE KINGDOM.
1 Deep yellow are turned
The bignonia flowers;
And my wounded heart
Its sorrow outpours.
2 The flowers are all gone ;
But green leaves are seen.
Than this fate have known,
Better not to have been !
3 In fish traps but stars !
Ewes thin, with large head !
While some may have food,
Most languish, ill fed.
X.
The So ts'aoupuh limang ; allusive and narrative. THE MISERY AND
MURMURING OF SOLDIERS CONSTANTLY EMPLOYED ON EXPEDITIONARY
SERVICES, AND TREATED WITHOUT ANY CONSIDERATION.
1 Yellow now is all the grass ;
All the days in marching pass.
On the move is every man;
Hard work, far and near, they plan.
BK VIII. X.] THE BOOK OF POETET.
2 Black is every plant become ;
Every man is torn from home.
Kept on foot, our state is sad;—
As if we no feelings had !
3 Not rhinoceroses we !
Tigers do we care to be ?
Fields like these so desolate
Are to us a hateful fate.
4 Long-tailed foxes pleased may hide
'Mong the grass, where they abide.
We, in box-carts slowly borne,
On the great roads plod and mourn.
283
i!