THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

354 THE BOOK Or POETKY. [PAET IY.
VII.
The Wo tseang ; narrative. AN ODE APPROPRIATE To A SACEIFICE
TO KING WAN. ASSOCIATED WITH HEAVEN, IN THE BEILLIANT HALL.
There is happily an agreement between the schools on the occasion of
this piece. Into the controversies about what "the Brilliant hall" really
was, it is unnecessary to enter. Wan was associated with God in the
sacrifice; God being the fountain from which, and Wan the channel
through which, the sovereignty had come to Chow.
My offerings here are given,
A ram, a bull.
Accept them, mighty Heaven,
All-bountiful.
Thy statutes, 0 great king,
I keep, I love ;
So on the realm to bring
Peace from above.
From Wan comes blessing rich ;
Now on the right
He owns those gifts to which
Him I invite.
Do I not night and day
Revere great Heaven,
That thus its favour may
To Chow be given ?
VIII.
The She mae ; narrative. APPROPRIATE TO KING Woo'S SACRIFICING
TO HEAVEN, AND TO THE SPIRITS OF ALL THE HILLS ASD IIIVERS,
ON A PEOGEESS THEOUGH THE KINGDOM, AFTEE THE OVERTHROW OF
THE SHANG DYNASTY.
Here again there is an agreement between the schools. Tlie Tso-chuen,
under the 12tli year of duke Seuen, quotes 1. 11 as from a Sung of king
Woo, and in "the Narratives of the States," the piece is ascribed to the
duke of Chow. Jfo doubt it was made by the duke, soon after the ac
cession of Woo, for the purpose mentioned in the argument; and he
speaks in his own person in the conclusion.
Now through liis many States rides Woo,
A royal progress making.
I. § I. IX.] THE BOOK OF POETKY. 355
May Heaven its gracious favour show,
Him for its own son taking !
Most surely has the House of Chow
Been called to reign by Heaven.
To our Woo's slightest nod by all
Trembling response is given.
All Spirits to himself he draws,
O'er sacred rites presiding ;
Even the Spirits of the Ho,
And those on hills abiding.
Yes, he our sovereign lord is known
As king supreme and glorious.
Our House of Chow distinguished is;
'Tis brilliant and victorious.
Woo to each prince his rank assigns;
And now sweet peace enjoying,
He casts the spear and shield aside,
The bow no more employing.
I will in ways of virtue walk,
And spread it through our regions.
Thus shall the king preserve the throne,
Without the aid of legions.
IX.
The Ckili Tiing; narrative. AN ODE APPROPRIATE IN SACRIFICING
TO THE KINGS WOO, CHIMG, AND K'ANG.
The arm of Woo was full of might;
None could his fire withstand;
And Ching and E/ang stood forth to sight,
As kinged by God's own hand.
We err not when we call them sage.
How grandly they maintained
Their hold of all the heritage
That Wan and Woo had gained !
23*
\
I