THE SHE KING; OR, THE BOOK OF ANCIENT POETRY

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190 THE BOOK OP POETRY. [PART II. BK I. ii.] THE BOOK OP POETET. 191
TITLE OF THE BOOK.—" The decade of Luh Ming." The pieces of
Tart I. are all arranged under the names of the States to which they be
longed. In Parts II. and III., however, they are collected in tens, and
classified under the name of the first piece in each Collection. The only
exception in respect to the number, is the third Book of Part III.—It will
not be necessary after this to say anything on the names of the different
Books.
I.
The Zuk Ming; allusive. A FESTAL ODE, SANG AT ENTERTAINMENTS
TO THE KING'S MINISTERS, AND GUESTS FBOM THE FEUDAL STATES.
In the piece we read of guests merely, and not of ministers or officers.
But the ministers and high officers would become the king's guests, when
feasted as the piece describes. It is referred, though not by Choo, to the
time of king Wan.
1 With sounds of happiness the deer
Browse on the celery of the meads.
A nobler feast is furnished here,
With guests renowned for noble deeds.
The lutes are struck ; the organ, blows.
Till all its tongues in movement heave.
Each basket loaded stands, and shows
The precious gifts the guests receive.
They love me, and my mind will teach,
How duty's highest aim to reach.
2 With sounds of happiness the deer
The southernwood crop in the meads.
What noble guests surround me here,
Distinguished for their worthy deeds !
From them my people learn to fly
Whatever is mean ; to chiefs they give
A model and a pat-tern high ;—
They show the life they ought to live.
Then fill their cups with spirits rare,
Till each the banquet's joy shall share.
3 With sounds of happiness the deer
The salsola crop in the fields.
What noble guests surround me-hcre !
Each lute for them its music yields.
Sound, sound the lutes, or great or small,
The joy harmonious to prolong ;
And with my spirits rich crown all
The cups to cheer the festive throng.
Let each retire with gladdened heart,
In his own sphere to play his part.
II.
The &e mom; narrative and allusive. A FESTAL ODE, COMPLIMENT
ARY TO AN OFFICER ON HIS RETURN FROM AN EXPEDITION, CELE
BRATING THE UNION IN HIM OF LOYAL DUTY AND FILIAL FEELING.
There is nothing in the ode itself to suggest its being composed for a
festal occasion, and to compliment the officer who narrates his story in
it. Both Maou and Choo, however, agree ill the above account of it.
It was not written, they say, by the officer himself, hut was put into his
mouth, as it were, to express the sympathy of his entertainer with him, and
the appreciation of his devotion to duty. There appear strikingly in it
the union of family affections and loyal duty, which we met with in
several of the pieces in Part I. ; and the merit of king Wan, to whose
times it is assigned, shines out in the allowance which he makes for those
affections.
1 On dashed my four steeds, without halt, without stay,
Though toilsome and winding from Chow was the way.
I wished to return,—but the monarch's command
Forbade that his business be done with slack hand;
And my heart was with sadness oppressed.
2 On dashed my four steeds; I ne'er slackened the reins.
They snorted and panted,—all white, with black manes.
I wished to return, but our sovereign's command
Forbade that his business be done with slack hand;
And I dared not to pause or to rest.
3 Unresting the Filial doves speed tu their flight,
Ascending, then sweeping swift down from the height,
Now grouped on the oaks. The king's high command
Forbade that his business be done with slack hand;—
And my father I left, sore distressed.
4 Unresting the Filial doves speed in their flight,
Now fanning the air, and anon they alight
On the medlars thick grouped. But our monarch's
command
Forbade that his business be done with slack hand;—
Of my mother I thought with sad breast.