THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

370 THE BOOK OF POETET. [PAET IV.
The &e e; narrative.
THE FEAST AFTER IT.
VII.
AS ODE, APPROPRIATE TO A SACRIFICE AND
The Preface says that this piece was appropriate to the entertainment
of the personators of the dead in connexion with the supplementary
sacrifice on the day after one of the great sacrifices in the ancestral
temple;—see on III. ii. IV. This view, however, can hardly be correct.
In robes of silk, all bright and clean,
And temple cap, with reverent mien,
The officer walks from the hall
Straight to the porch, and looks at all
The sheep and oxen doomed to bleed.
Back he returns, and gives good heed
To tripods and the mighty horn
By the rhinoceros once borne.
No need for it! The feasters drink
The spirits good and mild, but shrink
From wanton revelry and pride.
By this an auspice is supplied
Of the long life which those shall reap
Who thus the rules of virtue keep.
VIII.
The Choh; narrative. AN ODE IN PRAISE OF KING Woo.
The Preface says that this, and some of the pieces that follow, were
made to announce at the shrine of king Woo the completion, by the duke
of Chow, of the Wno dance, intended to represent the achievements of
the king in the overthrow of Shaug, and the establishment of the Chow
dynasty. Perhaps all the pieces are fragments of a larger one which has
not been retained in its integrity.
Oh ! powerful was the mighty host,
By which the throne to Chow was given.
Woo nursed it, while the time was dark,
Submissive to the will of Heaven.
But when the day propitious came,
He armed himself, and marched to fame.
And what the martial king achieved,
We have been favoured to obtain.
BK I. § III." X.] THE BOOK OF POETEY.
That we may rightly use the lot,
Which thou for us didst nobly gain,
Thy course, O king, we on our part
Will follow with sincerest heart.
The Hinan; narrative.
KING Woo.
IX.
371
CELEBRATING THE MERIT AND SUCCESS OP
Throughout our myriad regions there is peace;
Year after year the plenteous harvest brings.
Great Heaven in showing favours does not cease,
And will with blessing crown Chow's line of kings.
The martial sovereign, Woo, the confidence
He won from all his officers retained.
Their service would he through the realm dispense,
And for his house security thus gained.
Oh ! glorious was he in the sight of Heaven,
By which to him the throne of Shang was given.
The Lae ; narrative. THE PRAISE OF KING WAN.
King Wan with earnest purpose toiled,
And nothing left undone.
'Tis right his sons should now be styled
Lords of the realm he won.
X.
Abroad his virtue we will spread;
Him in our hearts we'll shrine;
Our aim that peace established
May last while lasts our line.
Through him it was there came to Chow
Heaven's favour and decree.
Him in our breasts we cherish now ;
Our pattern shall he be.
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