THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

356 THE BOOK OF POETET. [PAET IV. BE I. § II. II.] THE BOOK OP POETET. 357
As here we worship, they descend,
While bells and drums resound,
And stones and lutes their music blend.
With blessings we are crowned.
The rites correctly we discharge;
The feast we freely share.
Those sires Chow's glory will enlarge,
And ever for it care.
X.
The Sze man; narrative. CELEBRATING HOW-TSEIH ;—AN ODE
APPROPRIATE TO THE BOEDEB SACRIFICE, WHEN HOW-IBEIH WAS
WORSHIPPED AS THE COBBELAIE OF GOD.
0 thou, accomplished, great How-tseih,
To thee alone 'twas given
To be, by what we trace to thee,
The correlate of Heaven.
On all who dwell within our land
Grain-food didst thou bestow.
'Tis to thy wonder-working hand
This gracious boon we owe.
God had the wheat and barley meant
To nourish all mankind.
None would have fathomed His intent,
But for thy guiding mind.
Man's social duties thou didst show
To every tribe and State.
Prom thee the polished manners flow
That stamp our land " The Great."
BOOK I.
SECTION II. THE DECADE -OF SHIN KUNG.
THE Shin Tamg ; narrative. INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO THE OFFICERS
OF HUSBANDRY ;—PROBABLY AFTER THE SACRIFICE TO GOD IN SPRING
FOK A GOOD YEAR.
Ho ! ministers of husbandry,
Your duties reverent care demand.
The king has given you perfect rules;—
See that those rules ye understand.
Ho ! ye who aid the ministers,
The last month of our spring is here.
'Tis yours the new-sown fields to tend,
And manage those in their third year.
How fair each, wheat and barley field,
That soon their waving crops shall yield !
In them the bright and glorious God
Will grant to us a plenteous year;
Give orders that, with spud and hoe
Provided well, your men appear.
Anon the stalks that rustling stand
Shall fall before the reaper's hand.
II.
The E he; narrative. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE OFFICERS OF HUS
BANDRY :—PROBABLY LIKE THE PRECEDING ODE, AFTER A SACRIFICE
TO GOD FOR A GOOD YEAR.
0 yes ! the Spirit of king Ching,
When we inquired of him, drew nigh,
And clearly told us when to bring
The gifts that now before him lie.