THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

102 THE BOOK OF POETEY. [PART I. EK V. in.] THE BOOK OF POETEY. 103
BOOK V.
THE ODES OF WEI.
To what has been said of Wei in the introductory note to the third
Book, it may be added here that the State had a longer history under the
descendants of K'ang-shuh than any of the other States of the Chow
dynasty. It outlasted that dynasty itself, and subsisted through a period
of 905 years, when the last prince of Wei was reduced to the ranks of
the people under the second of the emperors of Ts'in.
I.
yuh; allusive. THE PRAISE OF DUKE Woo,—HIS ASSIDU
OUS CULTIVATION OP HIMSELF ; HIS DIGNITY ; HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
All the critics agree to accept duke Woo of Wei as the subject of this
piece. He had a very long rule,—of 55 years; and in his 42nd year,
when " the Dog Jung" killed king Yew (B.C. 770), he led a body of
soldiers to the assistance of Chow, and did great service against the Jung,
so that Yew's son, king P'ing, appointed him " a duke of the Court."
1 How rich the clumps of green bamboo,
Around each cove of Kfe !
They lead my thoughts to our duke Woo;—
Of winning grace is he !
As knife and file make smooth the bone,
As jade by chisel wrought and stone,
Is stamp upon him set.
Grave and of dignity serene;
With force of will as plainly seen ;
Accomplished, elegant in mien;
Him we can ne'er forget.
2 Strong grow the clumps of green bamboo,
Around each cove of Kfe.
They lead my thoughts to our duke Woo;—
Of winning grace is he !
His ear-plugs are of pebbles fine;
And gems like stars bright glittering shine,
All o'er his cap of state.
Grave and of dignity serene;
With force of will as plainly seen;
Accomplished, elegant in mien ;
Him we can ne'er forget.
3 How thick the clumps of green bamboo,
Around each cove of K'e !
Thej lead my thoughts to our duke Woo ;-
Of winning grace is he!
Pure as the finest tin or gold,
And as the sceptre princes hold
So strong, while mild in mood !
See him in car with lofty side,
Magnanimous and free from pride.
His words to jest are oft allied,
But never are they rude.
The K'cuni pman ; narrative. A HAPPY EECLUSE.
II.
1 By the stream in the vale his hut he has reared,
That man tall and stout, looking free from all cares.
He lives all alone; he sleeps, wakes, and then talks;—
And ne'er to forget what he prizes, he swears.
2 In the bend of the mound his hut he has reared,
That man tall and stout, gay and lightsome of heart.
He lives all alone; he sleeps, wakes, and then sings;—
He swears from this spot he will never depart.
3 There on that level height his hut he has reared,
That man tall and stout, who himself so contains.
He lives all alone; he sleeps, wakes, sleeps again;—
He swears he'll ne'er tell what in his mind reigns.
III.
The SMh jin : narrative. CHWANG KEANG AS RHE APPEARED ON
HER ARRIVAL IN WEI. HER GREAT CONNEXIONS ; HER BEAUTY ; HER
EQUIPAGE ; THE BICHES OF TS'E.
The principal points in the history of Cliwang Kcang, who is evidently
the subject of this piece, have been touched oil in the notes to the second
- I
! I