THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

70 THE BOOK OF POETET. I.
The Kan fang; narrative. THE LOVE OF THE PEOPLE FOK THE
JIEMOEY OF THE DUKE OF SHAOTJ MAKES THEM LOVE THE TEEES BE
NEATH WHICH HE HAD BESTED.
The duke of Shaou is mentioned in th preliminary note to tins' Book.
He is here called " the Chief of Shaou as having been invested with
jurisdiction over all the States of the west. In the exercise of that, he
had won the hearts of the people, and his memory was somehow connect
ed with the pear-tree which the poet had in his mind's eye, who would
therefore make them, as the Chinese often express it, " think of the man
and love the tree."
1 0 fell not that sweet pear tree!
See how its branches spread.
Spoil not its shade,
For Shaou's chief laid
Beneath it his weary head.
2 0 clip not that sweet pear tree!
Each twig and leaflet spare.
'Tis sacred now,
Since the lord of Shaou,
When weary, rested him there.
3 0 touch not that sweet pear tree!
Bend not a twig of it now.
There long ago,
As the stories show,
Oft halted the chief of Shaou.
VI.
The Hing loo ; narrative and allusive. A LADY RESISTS AN ATTEMPT
TO FOECE HEE TO MAKRY, AND AEGUES HER CAUSE.
It is thought that we have here a specimen of the cases that came be
fore the duke of Shaou.—A lady of Shin was promised in marriage to
a man of Fung. The ceremonial offerings from his family, however,
were not so complete as the rules required ; and when he wished to meet
her and convey her to his house, she and her friends refused to carry out
the engagement. The case was brought to trial, and the lady made this
ode, asserting that, while a single rule of ceremony was not complied
with, she would not leave her parents' house.
1 The dew thick on the wet paths lay;
Thither at early dawn my way
BE II. VIII.] THE BOOK OF POETET. 71
I might have ta'en ; but I said, " Nay.
" The dew is thick, at home I'll stay."
2 You say the sparrow has a horn.—
How could it else bore through your house ?
You say this trial is a proof
That I exchanged betrothal vows.
But though you've made me here appear in court,
Yet at betrothal what you did fell short.
3 You say the rat's teeth are complete.—
How could it else bore through your wall ?
You say this trial proves my vows
Of plighted troth were perfect all.
But though to court you've forced me here to come,
My will is firm;—I'll not with you go home.
The Kaou yaiig ; narrative.
AT SOME COITKT.
VII.
THE EASY DIGNITY Or THE OFFICERS
1 Arrayed in skins of lamb or sheep,
With five silk braidings all of white,
From court they go, to take their meal,
All self-possessed, with spirits light.
2 How on their skins of lamb or sheep
The five seams wrought with white silk show !
With easy steps, and self-possessed,
From court, to take their meal, they go.
3 Upon their skins of lamb or sheep
Shines the white silk the seams to link.
With easy steps and self-possessed,
They go from court to eat and drink.
VIII.
The Yin Jt'e Ivy; allusive. A LADY'S ADMIRATION or HEE HUS
BAND ABSENT ON PUBLIC SEEVICE, AND HEE LONGING FOE HIS EETUEN.
1 Grand in the south the thunder rolls,
Beyond that lofty hill.