THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

100 THE BOOK OF POETEY. [PART I BK IV. Till.] THE BOOK OF POETET. 101
Six cars drawn by steeds of fame
Well attest the guest's high name.
Sage profound, what can he say
That such welcome will repay ?
The Tsae ch'e ; narrative. THE BARONESS MITH OF HEU COMPLAINS
or NOT BEING ALLOWED TO GO TO WE1 TO CONDOLE WITH THE MAR
QUIS ON THE DESOLATION OF HIS SlATE, AND APPEAL TO SOME GREAT
POWERS ON ITS BEHALF.
The wife of the baron of Heu was one of the daughters of Senen
Keang and Ch'aou-pih Hwan (see on iii. IX.), and a sister consequently
of the dukes Tae and Wan of Wei. Sorry for the ruin which the Teih
had brought on Wei, she had wished, while the remnant of the people
was collected about Ts'aou, to go and condole with her brother (probably
duke Wan), and consult with him as to what could be done in his
desperate case. It was contrary, however, to the rules of propriety for
a lady in her position to return to her native State, and she was not
allowed to do so. In this piece we hare, it is supposed, her complaint,
and the vindication of her purpose.
1 I wished to urge my steeds, and drive
To Wei, to share my brother's grief,
Not slacking till we should arrive
And halt at Ts'aou, and find relief.
Another went, o'er hill, through stream, cross plain;
Here in deep sorrow I must still remain.
2 What I wished for you denied;
Here in Heu I must abide.
And in your decision's spite'
I must hold my purpose right.
You, unkind, my purpose spurn ;—
Not to Wei can I return.
I must slight your views as nought,
For I cannot quench my thought.
3 I'll climb the sides of that steep mound,
And pluck the lilies growing there.
Thoughts in my woman's heart abound,
And every thought might blossom bear.
In Heu the people all my purpose blame;
Their childish, hasty thoughts cause me no shame.
4 I would through the land have gone,
Passed where fields of rich wheat shone,
Prayer have made to Ts'e's great state,
Help have sought for Wei's sore strait.
Nobles who o'er Wei preside,
Zeal like this you should not chide.
Hundreds are the plans you make;
Best the course I wished to take !
I