THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

371 THE BOOK OF POETEY. [PART IV.
but it is only the fourth, of which it can be' said with certainty that it
belonged to his time.
Confucius, in the Analects, II. ii., says, " In the Book of Poetry are
three hundred pieces, but the design of all of them may be embraced in
that one sentence ;—'Have no depraved thoughts.' " " That one sen
tence " is the last line but one in this piece, the declaration about the
marquis who is celebrated being given by the sage as if it were a general
imperative injunction. That the sage should have selected a sentence
from such a piece as this to convey his own idea as to the scope and
tendency of all these ancient poems is surprising. It is only less «o, and
it is peculiarly Chinese, that this characteristic of the prince should be
referred to as the cause of the serviceableness of his horses.
1 On the wide plains, our frontiers near,
The stallions, sleek and large, appear.
There, sleek and large, they meet our sight;
Some black, with their hind-quarters white ;
Pale yellow, some ; some black j some bay :—
For carriage teams good horses they !
To the duke's thoughts we can assign no bound;
Turned to his steeds, lo ! thus good are they found !
2 On the wide plains, our frontiers near,
The stallions, sleek and large, appear.
Those stallions, sleek and large, are seen;
Some piebald,—white and flushed with green,
And others white, with yellow sheen;
Some chestnuts; and some dapple gray :—
For carriage teams strong horses they !
To the duke's thoughts no limit can we set;
Turned to his steeds, such is the strength they get!
3 On the wide plains, our frontiers near,
The stallions, sleek and large, appear.
Oh ! sleek and large, those sprightly males !
Some that appear as flecked with scales ;
Some black, with manes of spotless white ;
Some white or red, manes dark as night:—
In carriage yoked, obedient quite !
The duke's thoughts never cease and never tire ;
Turned to his steeds, lo ! thus they rule their fire !
4 On the wide plains, our frontiers near,
The stallions, sleek and large, appear.
Oh ! sleek and large, those stallions bright!
Cream-coloured, some ; some, red and white;
BK II. ii.]
THE BOOK OP POETRY.
Some, with white hairy legs; with eyes
Like those of fishes, some :—men prize
Such horses, grand in strength and size.
His thoughts without depravity, our prince
Thinks of his steeds, and such powers they evince !
II.
375
The Yeivpcih; allusive. THE HAPPY INTERCOURSE OP SOME MAR
QUIS OF LOO WITH HIS MINISTERS AND OFFICERS ;—HOW THEY DE
LIBERATED ON BUSINESS, FEASTED TOGETHER, AND THE MINISTERS
AND OFFICERS EXPRESSED THEIR GOOD WISHES.
1 How sleek and strong, how sleek and strong,
Those chestnut teams that dash along!
Early to court they bring, and. late,
Their masters, ministers of state,
In council wise, quick in debate.
As flock of egrets, circling round
Aloft, then lighting on the ground,
Those masters are. The drums resound;
Having well drunk, they rise and dance,
And thus thoir mutual joy enhance.
2 How sleek and strong, how sleek and strong,
Those stallion teams that dash along!
Early and late their masters all
Are present in the palace hall,
And with the duke a-drinking fall.
As flock of egrets, circling round
Aloft, or wheeling 'bove the ground,
Are they. Anon the drums resound;
Having well drunk, they homeward move;
Pure is the mutual joy they prove.
3 How sleek and strong, how sleek and strong,
Those iron grays that dash along !
Early and late, their masters all
Are present in the palace hall,
And with the duke a-feasting fall.
At last their prayer they thus express :—
" May fruitful years our marquis bless !
His goodness may he still maintain,
And leave to sons in lengthening chain ! "
May such rejoicing long remain!