THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

310 THE BOOK OF POETET. [PAET III.
1 How the flocks of the wild-ducks and widgeons play,
As they now skim the King, and now seek their prey !
How happy the birds ! And not less joy inspires
Those who yesterday played the part of your sires.
Your viands are fragrant; your spirits are clear.
They feast and they drink; and all happy appear.
Complete is the honour you render them here !
2 The wild-ducks and widgeons now see on the sand,
As along the King's banks they move or they stand !
How happy the birds ! And now here, as their due,
Those who sat as your sires are feasted by you.
Abundant your spirits, your viands are good.
They feast and they drink in their happiest mood.
Ne'er before on the summit of honour they stood.
3 Round the islets the wild-ducks and widgeons fly,
And on the land settle with loud scream and cry.
How happy the birds ! And with joy those are filled,
Who with fathers long gone were yesterday thrilled.
Your viands are sliced, and your spirits are strained.
They feast and they drink, with new happiness gained
From this glory they now from you have obtained.
4 The wild-ducks and widgeons behold on the wing,
Where their tribute the streamlets pay to the King !
How happy the birds ! And how honoured are those,
In whom your sires yesterday found their repose !
The feast in the ancestral temple is spread,
Where blessing and dignity most are conveyed.
Of each feaster what happiness now crowns the head !
5 Where the stream through the rocks its way seems to
forge,
Many wild-ducks and widgeons rest in the gorge.
How happy the birds ! As complacent are they,
Through whom your great fathers their will did convey.
Your exquisite spirits, your meat broiled and roast,
That they have partaken those feasters can boast.
Henceforth shall their minds by no troubles be tossed !
BK II. v.] THE BOOK OF POETET. 311
v.
The Kea loK ; narrative. IN PEAISE or SOME KJXO,—PERHAPS KING
CHING,—WHOSE VIRTUE SECURED TO HIM THE FAVOUR OF HEAVEN ;
AUSPICING FOB HIM ALT, HAPPINESS, AND ESPECIALLY A LINE OF DIS
TINGUISHED POSTERITY. PROBABLY THE RESPONSE OF THE PERSONA-
TOBS OF THE DEPARTED TO THE PRECEDING PIECE.
1 What brilliant virtue does our king,
Whom all admire and love, display !
People and officers all sing
The praise of his impartial sway.
Heaven to his sires the kingdom gave,
And him with equal favour views.
Heaven's strength and aid will ever save
The throne whose grant it oft renews.
2 By virtue sought, fresh honours shine;
All other b essings follow sure.
Admired aud reverent, lo ! his line
Through myriad ages shall endure.
From error free, to duty true,
They rule the States, they fill the throne.
Nor shall they fail with homage due
The olden statutes aye to own.
3 A bearing high and self-restrained
May they in all their conduct show !
And thus their virtuous fame unstained
With lapse of time still brighter grow !
From jealousies and envies free,
May they advance the good to place !
And blessings, boundless in degree,
Their rule through all our regions grace!
4 When so those sons of Heaven shall sway,
Nor greater cares their care withdraw
From smallest things, friends shall obey,
And find repose beneath their law.
Love shall around them cast its chain,
Kings who not idly fill their seat.
The people restful peace shall gain,
And each king with their praises greet.