THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

170 THE BOOK OF POETRY. [PART I.
Like them that man, who ill befits his place.
And through the State is reckoned a disgrace !
All know him bad, but to his course he'll hold,
So long to evil has the man been sold.
2 Where through the gate in to the tombs we turn,
Owls perched upon the plum-trees we discern.
Such omen well may to that man belong,
Whom to admonish I now sing this song.
No welcome will the admonition find;
When overthrown, my words he'll call to mind.
VII.
The Fang yem ts'eoTi ch'anu; allusive. A LADY LAMENTS THE
ALIENATION OF HEK LOVER BY MEANS OF EVIL TONGUES.
1 The magpies' nests are on the bank ;
On heights the lovely pea grows rank;
While withered my heart is and blank.
Who wiled my Love away ?
2 The temple path its fine tiles shows;
On heights the ribbon-plant bright grows;
While my breast heaves with sorrow's throes.
Who led his heart astray ?
By W. T. Mercer. Latins.
1 Montibus incultis florescunt pisa decora,
In ripa nidum garrula pica facit;
Delicias nostras quis nunc circumdedit arte ?
Labe notat nostras lachryma multa genas!
2 En ! medium templi callem bene tegula condit.
En ! monte in sumino gramina pulchra virent.
Sed quis delicias nostras circumdedit arte ?
Ah ! nostras maculant flumina salsa genas !
vin.
The Yueh ch'iih; allusive. A GENTLEMAN TELLS ALL THE EXCITE
MENT OF HIS DESIKE FOE THE POSSESSION OF A BEAUTIFUL LADY.
XII. IX.] THE BOOK OF POETRY. 1 71
1 The moon comes forth, brignt in the sky;
A lovelier sight to draw my eye
Is she, that lady fair.
She round my heart has fixed love's chain,
But all my longings are in vain.
'Tis hard the grief to bear.
2 The moon comes forth, a splendid sight;
More winning far that lady bright,
Object of my desire !
Deep-seated is my anxious grief;
In vain I seek to find relief,
While glows the secret fire.
3 The rising moon shines mild and fair;
More bright is she, whose beauty rare
My heart with longing fills.
With eager wish I pine in vain
0 for relief from constant pain,
Which through my bosom thrills !
IX
The Clwo Hn; narrative. THE INTRIGUE OF DUKE LING WITH THE
LADY OF CKOO-LIN.
Ghoo observes that this is the only one of the odes of Ch'in of which the
historical interpretation is certain. The intrigue of duke Ling with Hea
Ke (B.C. fi!2 598) makes the filthiest narrative, perhaps, of all detailed
in the Tso-chuen. She was one of the vilest of women ; and the duke
was killed by Hean Nan, her son. who was himself put to a horrible and
undeserved death, the year after, by one of the viscounts of Ts'oo.
1 What to Choo-lin takes his car ?
Hea Nan" is the leading star.
Not for Choo-lin does he go;
Hea Nan 'tis who draws him so.
2 Oft his purpose to go there
At the court he will declare :
" Yoke for me my goodly team;
I to-night in Choo will dream.
With those colts my way I'll make,
Morning meal at Choo to take."
ft