THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

T :
81 THE BOOK OF FOETEY. [PART I.
IX.
The Peanu yen; Jt'oo yell; allusive and narrative. AGAINST THE
LICENTIOUS MANNERS OP WEI.
The old school held that this piece was directed against dulie Senen,
who was distinguished for his licentiousness, and his wife also. Clioo,
agreeing generally in the object of the piece, yet demurs to this particu
lar reference. Some notice of Seuen may be given here, as several of
the odes that follow are'interpreted of him and his doings.
His first wife was E Keang, a lady of his father's harem, by an inces
tuous connection with whom he had a son, called Keih-tsze, who became
his heir-apparent. By-and-by he contracted a marriage for this son
with a daughter of Ts'e, known as Seuen Keang; but on her arrival in
Wei, moved by her youth and beauty, he took her himself, and by her he
had two sons,—Show and Soh. B Keang hanged herself in vexation ;
and in course of time Sfiien was prevailed on by Soh and his mother to
consent to the death of Keih-tsze, Show persisting in a noble, but fruit
less, attempt to preserve his life. In the next year, the duke died, and
was succeeded by Soli, when the court of Ts'e insisted on Ch'aou-peh.
another son of Seuen, marrying Seuen Keang. From this connection
sprang two sons, who both became marquises of Wei, and two daughters,
who married the rulers of other States.
When such was the history of the conrt of Wei, we can well perceive
that licentiousness prevailed throughout the State ; and that connexions
of tlie kind which this piece condemns were being continually formed.
1 Its bitter leaves still hang upon the gourd;
Deep is the water where we cross the ford.
Conditions these which well might make them pause,
But bent are they to break the heavenly laws !
"We'll cross," they say, "if deep, clothes on go through;
If shallow, holding up our clothes will do."
2 To overflowing full the ford appears;
The female pheasant's cry salutes their ears.
Now will they pause, nor tempt the foaming stream.
In vain the warning; more intent they seem.
" The depth," they say : " our axles will not wet,
" And by her cry the pheasant calls her mate."
3 In early morn, when 'gins to dawn the day,
In spring, the ice not yet dissolved away,
The gentleman, who home his wife would bring,
Presents the goose, whose notes harmonious ring.
Such is the riile that virtue's law lays down;
And such the rule which I will ever own.
BE III. x.] THE BOOK OF POETEY.
4 The boatman beckons, waving oft his hand;
And with him others cross, but I here stand.
Others may cross, but not with them I go;
I wait my friend, the proper time to show.
I dare not rush to gratify mere lust ;
By virtue's law my lusts control I must.
X.
The Ktih fung ; metaphorical, allusive, and narrative. THE PLAINT
OP A WIPE SUPPLANTED BY ANOTHER, AND REJECTED BY HEB HUSBAND.
1 The east wind gently blows,
With cloudy skies and rain.
'Twixt man and wife should ne'er be strife,
But harmony obtain.
Radish and mustard plants
Are used, though some be poor;
While my good name is free from blame,
Don't thrust me from your door.
2 I go along the road,
Slow, with reluctant heart.
Your escort lame to door but came,
There glad from me to part.
Sow-thistle, bitter called,
As shepherd's purse is sweet;
With your new mate you feast elate,
As joyous brothers meet.
3 Part clear, the stream of King
Is foul beside the Wei.
You feast elate with your new mate,
And take no heed of me.
Loose mate, avoid my dam,
Nor dare my basket move !
Person slighted, life all blighted,
What can the future prove ?
4 The water deep, in boat,
Or raft-sustained, Pd go;
And where the stream did narrow seem,
I dived or breasted through.
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