THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

340 THE BOOK OF POETET. [PAET III.
" As served your fathers, so serve you.
Be careful my commands to do.
Early and late show active zeal;
With reverence seek the kingdom's weal.
And thus your fealty paid
Shall strengthen the great fief I give;—
Marquis of Han you long shall live.
What princes come not to my court
Deal with, until they here resort,
And thus your sovereign aid."
2 Oh ! noble was the marquis' team.
Both long and large, the steeds beseem
His youthful state and port.
His mace of rank he with him brought.
When audience of the king he sought,
And bowed within his court.
The king his royal favour showed,
And on him princely gifts bestowed.
Those were—the dragon flag, whence streamed
Its pennon that with plumelets gleamed;
The brilliant yoke; the bamboo screen;
The robe with dragon on it seen;
Hed slippers; and the hooks to shine
On his steeds' breasts; the frontlets fine,
Whose carvings should their foreheads grace;
The board across his car to place;
The tiger's skin, to throw around
That leaning board with leather bound.
Then last there came the rein-ends bright,
Tipt with gilt rings,—a splendid sight.
3 The court now leaving, home he hies ;
But first he offers sacrifice,
And prays the Spirit of the way
Guidance to give. That night to stay
At Too he planned. The parting feast
Heen-foo there gives to speed the guest.
The court sends forth its many lords,
To taste the cheer the king affords.
An hundred vases stand around,
All with the choicest spirits crowned.
BE III. VII.] THE BOOK OF POETET.
The mats roast turtle and fresh fish
Present, and many a lordly dish.
And bamboo sprouts, and tender shoots,
And sauces fine, and fragrant fruits,
With their rich perfume fill the air.
Oh! but it was a banquet rare !
It closed, and lo ! before the gate,
With mighty steeds, a car of state !
4 Now back in Han, its lord must wed,
And home a wife shall bring.
To Kwei-foo's child his suit he paid,
The niece of Fun, our king.
The union fixed, in grand array,
To Kwei-foo's house he takes his way;
An hundred cars attend.
The tinkling music falls and swells,
Emitted by their numerous bells,
As on their course they wend.
The glory of that day was great.
Lo ! round the bride in fairest state,
The virgins, her companions, stand,
Close following her on either hand.
As lovely clouds that slowly sail,
And the moon's greater glory veil,
So beautiful were they.
The marquis looked, with rapture thrilled.
Never was gate with splendour filled,
As Kwei-foo's gate that day.
5 Great fame Kwei-foo has got in war,
And every State has seen his car;
But through the land, where'er he went,
To settle his dear child intent,
No State like Han he saw.
Oh! pleasant is the State of Han!
Kwei saw the mighty streams that ran
Through all its length, and then the lakes,
With forests girt and tangled brakes,
That admiration draw.
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