THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

i 98
THE BOOK OF POETET.
VII.
[PAET I.
The Te tung; metaphorical and narrative. AGAINST LEWD CON
NEXIONS.
A rainbow is regarded by the Chinese as the result of an improper
connexion between the yin and the ynng, the dark and the light, the
feminine and masculine principles of nature ; and so it is an emblem of
improper connexions between men and women. To point to a rainbow
in the east is deemed unlucky.
1 A rainbow in the east invites the gaze,
But none a finger to it dares to raise.
All view it with dislike; but viler she,
Who hastes to marry 'gainst propriety !
When from their early homes young women go,
Parents and brothers they nigh cease to know.
Important rules for step like this are made,
And to such rules obedience should be paid.
2 When rainbows in the west at morn appear,
By morning's close the sky from rain is clear;
So fleeting are the joys of lawless love;
Licentious pleasures evanescent prove.
When from their early homes young women go,
Parents and brothers they nigh cease to know.
Important rules for step like this are made,
And to such rules obedience should be paid.
8 Ah ! think of this young girl whose wilful heart
Is bent on marriage as her only part.
She wrongs herself, to the right course untrue,
Which every virtuous woman should pursue.
She blames her lot, and, wanton, will not own
Heaven's ordering of it on the parents thrown.
For marriage ties the wisest rules are made,
And to such rules obedience should be paid.
VIII.
The Seang shod; allusive. A MAN WITHOUT PROPRIETY is NOT
EQUAL TO A RAT.
1 Behold a rat! Its skin has glossy sheen !
Then mark that man's demeanour, poor and mean !
BK IV. IX.] THE BOOK OF POETEY. 99
Bearing of bearing void !—what means it ? This :—
'Twere better death than longer life were his !
2 Behold a rat! Its teeth can sharply bite !
Then mark deportment careless of what's right!
Manners thus careless of what's right declare
'Twere well the man himself for death prepare.
3 Behold a rat! How small its limbs, and fine !
Then mark the course that scorns the proper line !
Propriety's neglect may well provoke
A wish the man would quickly court death's stroke.
IX.
The Ean maon; narrative. THE ZEAL or THE OFHCERS OF WEI
TO WELCOME MEN OF WORTH.
According to Choo, who gives the only admissible explanation of this
piece, the first four lines of the stanzas describe the officers of Wei,
meeting in the neighbourhood of Tseun, a recluse, but a man of worth,
who comes from his obscurity, or a visitor to Wei from another State.
1 Where Tseun's suburbs lie remote,
Prom the staffs the ox-tails float.
High the staffs, and each one bright
With its silken bandlets white !
Pour cars drawn by steeds of fire
Welcome guest whom all desire.
Admirable, what will he
Give to meet such courtesy ?
2 In Tseun's suburbs near the town,
Ply the falcon banners, blown
Prom the staffs that rise around,
All with bands of white silk bound.
Five cars drawn by horses strong
Wait the guest who comes along.
Courteous, worthy,—what shall he
Pay for all this courtesy ?
3 Now the walls of Tseun we see;
Peather'd streamers flutter free
Prom the flag staffs strong and stout,
Girt by silken bands about.
7 *
III