BOOK II.

THE DECADE OF PIH HWA.

I.

Text wanting.

The Pih-hwa. THE UNSULLIED PURITY OF FILIAL SONS.

II,

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The Hwa shoo. THE HARMONY OF THE SEASONS, AND THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HARVESTS, SEEN ESPECIALLY IN THE LARGE PRODUCE OF THE MILLET CROPS.

III.

The Yu le; allusive and narrative. AN ODE USED AT DISTRICT ENTERTAINMENTS, CELEBRATING THE ABUNDANCE OF EVERYTHING, AND THE PROSPERITY OF THE TIMES.

The idea of the prosperity of the times is found by taking both parts of the first three stanzas as allusive ;-which, I should have said myself, makes them metaphorical. That fish of so many different kinds should be taken in a contrivance consisting only of a few bamboos inartificially put together, showed how good government produced an abundance of all material resources; the abundant supply of good spirits was also a proof of the general prosperity.

The domain of the king was divided into six districts, of which the more trusted and able officers were presented every third year to the king, and feasted, the general superintendents of the districts presiding on the occasion.

1 By means of simplest fish-trap that men make,
Sand-blowers small and yellow-jaws they take ;-
Such the result good rule ensures.

And here our host his spirits forth has set,
Good and abundant; proof we now are met,
When ordered rule large wealth secures.

2 In simplest fish-traps that might useless seem,
They take abundant store of tench and bream ;-
Such issue from our good rule springs.
And here our host his spirits forth has set,
Abundant, good;-sure proof we now are met,
When ordered rule great riches brings.

3 Into the simplest fish-traps largely go
Mudfish and carp;-captures that clearly show
How with good rule the land is crowned.
And here our host his spirits forth has set,
Good and most ample;-proof we here are met,
When ordered rule makes wealth abound.
4 The mats in great abundance viands show;
And these of rarest quality we know.
5 The viands excellent are here revealed;
Both land and sea their contributions yield.
6 Viands in ample store the feast displays;
And all in season, all beyond our praise.

IV.

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The Yen kăng. ALL THINGS PRODUCED ACCORDING TO THEIR NA

TURE.

V.

The Nan yën këa yui; allusive. A FESTAL ODE APPROPRIATE TO THE ENTERTAINMENT OF WORTHY GUESTS, AND CELEBRATING THE GENEROUS SYMPATHY OF THE ENTERTAINER.

1 The fishers of the south for barbel make

Sharp search, and many with their baskets take.
The host his noble guests has gathered here;
They drink with him, and joyous share his cheer.
2 The barbel of the south are largely caught

In wicker nets, which then to land are brought.
The host has round him called each noble guest;
They drink with him, delighted with the feast.

3 The southern trees with drooping branches grow,
Round which the sweet gourds clasp and twine below.
His noble guests around the host we see;
They drink with him, and feast in cheerful glee.

4 About the Filial doves incessant fly;

Flock follows flock, in wheeling circles high.
The noble guests long at their cups remain;
They freely drink, and then they drink again.

VI.

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The Sung kew. HOW ALL THINGS ATTAINED THEIR GREATEST

HEIGHT AND SIZE.

VII.

The Nan shan yër t'ae; allusive. A FESTAL ODE, WHERE THE RULER, AS THE HOST, CELEBRATES THE VIRTUES OF HIS MINISTERS, WHO ARE THE GUESTS, AND SUPPLICATES BLESSINGS ON THEM.

1 The southern hills the t'ae plant show,
The northern yield the lae.

Your presence here, my noble guests,
Fills me with rapture high.

'Tis on your strength that all my States depend;
Myriads of years be yours, years without end!

2 On southern hills are mulberry trees,
On northern willows grow.

Your presence here, my noble guests,
Makes my joy overflow.

Your virtue's rays through all my regions shine;
Myriads of years be yours in boundless line!

3 On southern hills the medlars thrive,
And plum-trees in the north.

Your presence here, my noble guests,
The richest joy calls forth.
Parental love ye for my people show,
And may your virtuous fame decay ne'er know!

4 The southern hills the k'aou display,
The northern have the new.

Here at our feast, my noble guests,

My heart rests glad in you.

The eyebrows of long life your foreheads crown;
Still wider be your virtuous fame's renown!

5 The honey trees on southern hills,
The yu on northern rise.

Your presence here, my noble guests,
Rare happiness supplies.

Gray hair and wrinkled face yours yet shall be:
May future times your sons as prosperous see!

VIII.

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The Yew e. HOW ALL THINGS WERE PRODUCED AND FLOURISHED AS WAS NATURAL TO THEM.

IX.

The Luh seaou; allusive. A FESTAL ODE, ON OCCASION OF THE KING'S ENTERTAINING THE FEUDAL PRINCES WHO HAVE COME TO HIS COURT.

1 Tall grows the fragrant southernwood,
On which the dew shines bright.

Now that my noble men I see,

My anxious heart feels light.

We feast, while smiles and chat our joy proclaim;
Such guests deserve prosperity and fame.

2 Tall grows the fragrant southernwood,
On which thick lies the dew.

The presence of these noble men
Gives grace and glory too.

From error's taint is their pure virtue free;
Long may they live, and ne'er forgotten be!

3 Tall grows the fragrant southernwood,
With dew all over wet.

Joyful and unconstrained these guests
Share the rich feast here set.

In concord with their brothers may they dwell,
And happy age their virtue's praises tell!

4 Tall grows the fragrant southernwood,
On which rich lies the dew.

The rein-ends of these noble men

At once engaged my view,

As down they hung, while the bells tinkled sweet
From bar and bit. All good upon them meet!

X.

The Chan loo; allusive. A FESTAL ODE, APPROPRIATE TO THE CON

VIVIAL ENTERTAINMENT OF THE FEUDAL PRINCES AT THE ROYAL COURT.

1 The dew lies heavy all around,

Nor, till the sun shines, leaves the ground.
Far into night we feasting sit;

We drink, and none his place may quit.

2 The dew lies heavy, and its gems
Stud the luxuriant, grassy stems.
The happy night with wassail rings;
So feasted here the former kings.

3 The jujube and the willow tree
All fretted with the dew we see.
Each guest's a prince of noble line,
In whom the virtues all combine.

4 The t'ung and e their fruits display,
Pendent from every graceful spray.
My guests are joyous and serene,
No haggard eye, no ruffled mien.