THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

60 THE BOOK OF POETRY. [PAET I. BK I. iv.] THE BOOK OF POETKY. 61
The maiden modest, virtuous, coy, is found;
Strike every lute, and joyous welcome sound.
Ours now, the duckweed from the stream we bear.
And cook to use with other viands rare.
He has the maiden, modest, virtuous, bright;
Let bells and drums proclaim our great delight.
II.
The KoJi fan; narrative. CELEBRATING THE INDUSTRY AND DUTI-
FULNESS OF KING WAN'S QUEEN.
It is supposed to have been made, and however that was, it is to be read
as if it had been made, by the queen herself. The old interpreters held
that the piece was of T'ae-sze in her virgin prime, intent on all woman's
work, and they placed it among the allusive pieces. The first two stanzas
might be thus explained ; but the third requires too much straining to
admit of a proleptical interpretation as to what the virgin would do in
the future when a married wife.
1 Sweet was the scene. The spreading dolichos
Extended far, down to the valley's depths,
With leaves luxuriant. The orioles
Fluttered around, and on the bushy trees
In throngs collected,—whence their pleasant notes
Resounded far in richest melody.
2 The spreading dolichos extended far,
Covering the valley's sides, down to its depths,
With leaves luxuriant and dense. I cut
It down, then boiled, and from the fibres span
Of cloth, both fine and coarse, large store,
To wear, unwearied of such simple dress.
3 Now back to my old home, my parents dear
To see, I go. The matron I have told.
Who will announcement make. Meanwhile my clothes,
My private clothes I wash, and rinse my robes.
Which of them need be rinsed ? and which need not ?
My parents dear to visit, back I go.
III.
The E'euen-urlt,; narrative. LAMENTING THE ABSENCE OF A CHER
ISHED FRIEND, PROBABLY OF A HUSBAND.
The old interpreters thought that this ode celebrated T'ae-sze for being
earnestty bent on getting the court of Chow filled with worthy ministers,
for sympathizing with faithful officers in their toils on distant expeditions,
and for suggesting to king Wan to feast them on their return. It is
astonishing that the imperial editors should still lean to this view; on
which the piece belongs to the allusive class.
Choo ascribes the ode to T'ae-sze, whose husband, " the mnn of her
heart," is absent on some toilsomp expedition, and for whose return she
longs in vain. I must drop the idea of T'ae-s/.e altogether, and can make
nothing more of the piece than I have stated. We must read it as if it
were from the pencil of its subject, and narrative.
1 Though small my basket, all my toil
Filled it with mouse-ears but in part.
I set it on the path, and sighed
For the dear master of my heart.
2 My steeds, o'er-tasked, their progress stayed,
When midway up that rocky height.
Give me a cup from that gilt vase,—
When shall this longing end in sight ?
3 To mount that lofty ridge I drove,
Until my steeds all changed their hue. .
A cup from that rhinoceros' horn
May help my longing to subdue.
4 Striving to reach that flat-topped hill,
My steeds, worn out, relaxed their strain;
My driver also sank oppressed :—
I'll never see my lord again !
IV.
The Rim-mnli; allusive. CELEBRATING T'AE-SZE'S FREEDOM FROM
JEALOUSY, AND OFFERING FERVENT WISHES FOR HER HAPPINESS.
Tlie piece is supposed to be from the ladies of king Wan's harem, in
praise of T'ae-sze, who was not jealous of them, but cherished them
rather, as the great tree does the creepers that twine round it.
1 In the South are the trees whose branches are bent,
And droop in such fashion that o'er their extent
All the dolichos' creepers fast cling.
See our princely lady, from whom we have got
Rejoicing that's endless ! May Jicr happy lot
And her honours repose ever bring !
V