Let each be strong, and play the man ;~
So shall your influence be great.
Ever in virtue lead the van ;—

All chiefs your course will imitate.
The former kings in mind still bear ;
What glory can with theirs compare?

V.

The Teen tsoh; narrative. APPROPRIATE TO A SACRIFICE TO KING T'AE.

For king T'ae's history and achievements see the 3rd and 7th pieces in the first Book of last Part.

'Twas Heaven that made the lofty hill,
And there king T'ae his work began,
Labouring the land all round to till.
Then in tranquillity king Wan
Pursued the work, till that mount K'e,
Rugged and craggy though it frowned,
Was reached by the smooth roads we see.
Long be it by their offspring owned!

VI.

The Haou Teen yëw shing ming; narrative. SACRIFICE TO KING CHING.

APPROPRIATE AT A

The fixed decree of mighty Heaven
Had long to Chow assigned the throne,
Which first to Wan and Woo was given.
Ching next to them as ruler shone.

Then the foundations of his power
Were made by Ching more deep and sure.
Through night and day no idle hour

He knew, the reticent and pure.

His virtue wrought, and glorified
The heritage he had obtained;

Nor were his heart's best powers unplied,
Till o'er the land good order reigned.

VII.

The Wo tseang; narrative. AN ODE APPROPRIATE TO A SACRIFICE TO KING WAN, ASSOCIATED WITH HEAVEN, IN THE BRILLIANT HALL.

There is happily an agreement between the schools on the occasion of this piece. Into the controversies about what "the Brilliant hall" really was, it is unnecessary to enter. Wan was associated with God in the sacrifice; God being the fountain from which, and Wǎn the channel through which, the sovereignty had come to Chow.

My offerings here are given,
A ram, a bull.

Accept them, mighty Heaven,
All-bountiful.

Thy statutes, O great king,
I keep, I love;
So on the realm to bring
Peace from above.

From Wan comes blessing rich;
Now on the right

He owns those gifts to which
Him I invite.

Do I not night and day
Revere great Heaven,

That thus its favour may
To Chow be given?

VIII.

The She mac; narrative. APPROPRIATE TO KING Woo's SACRIFICING TO HEAVEN, AND TO THE SPIRITS OF ALL THE HILLS AND RIVERS, ON A PROGRESS THROUGH THE KINGDOM, AFTER THE OVERTHROW OF THE SHANG DYNASTY.

Here again there is an agreement between the schools. The Tso-chuen, under the 12th year of duke Seuen, quotes 1. 11 as from a Sung of king Woo, and in "the Narratives of the States," the piece is ascribed to the duke of Chow. No doubt it was made by the duke, soon after the accession of Woo, for the purpose mentioned in the argument; and he speaks in his own person in the conclusion.

Now through his many States rides Woo,
A royal progress making.

May Heaven its gracious favour show,
Him for its own son taking!

Most surely has the House of Chow
Been called to reign by Heaven.
To our Woo's slightest nod by all
Trembling response is given.

All Spirits to himself he draws,
O'er sacred rites presiding;
Even the Spirits of the Ho,

And those on hills abiding.

Yes, he our sovereign lord is known
As king supreme and glorious.
Our House of Chow distinguished is;
'Tis brilliant and victorious.

Woo to each prince his rank assigns;
And now sweet peace enjoying,
He casts the spear and shield aside,
The bow no more employing.

I will in ways of virtue walk,

And spread it through our regions.
Thus shall the king preserve the throne,
Without the aid of legions.

IX.

The Chih king; narrative. AN ODE APPROPRIATE IN SACRIFICING TO THE KINGS WOO, CHING, AND K'ANG.

The arm of Woo was full of might;

None could his fire withstand;

And Ching and K'ang stood forth to sight,
As kinged by God's own hand.

We err not when we call them sage.

How grandly they maintained

Their hold of all the heritage

That Wan and Woo had gained!

As here we worship, they descend,
While bells and drums resound,
And stones and lutes their music blend.
With blessings we are crowned.

The rites correctly we discharge;
The feast we freely share.

Those sires Chow's glory will enlarge,
And ever for it care.

The Sze wan; narrative.

CELEBRATING HOW-TSEIH;-AN ODE

APPROPRIATE TO THE BORDER SACRIFICE, WHEN HOW-TSEIH WAS WORSHIPPED AS THE CORRELATE OF GOD.

O thou, accomplished, great How-tseih,

To thee alone 'twas given
To be, by what we trace to thee,
The correlate of Heaven.

On all who dwell within our land
Grain-food didst thou bestow.
'Tis to thy wonder-working hand
This gracious boon we owe.

God had the wheat and barley meant

To nourish all mankind.

None would have fathomed His intent,
But for thy guiding mind.

Man's social duties thou didst show
To every tribe and State.

From thee the polished manners flow

That stamp our land "The Great."

BOOK I.

SECTION II. THE DECADE OF SHIN KUNG.

I.

THE Shin kung; narrative. INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO THE OFFICERS OF HUSBANDRY ;-PROBABLY AFTER THE SACRIFICE TO GOD IN SPRING FOR A GOOD YEAR.

Ho! ministers of husbandry,

Your duties reverent care demand.
The king has given you perfect rules ;-
See that those rules ye understand.

Ho! ye who aid the ministers,

The last month of our spring is here.
'Tis yours the new-sown fields to tend,

And manage those in their third year.
How fair each wheat and barley field,
That soon their waving crops shall yield!

In them the bright and glorious God

Will grant to us a plenteous year;
Give orders that, with spud and hoe

Provided well, your men appear.
Anon the stalks that rustling stand
Shall fall before the reaper's hand.

II.

The E he; narrative. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE OFFICERS OF HUSBANDRY :-PROBABLY LIKE THE PRECEDING ODE, AFTER A SACRIFICE TO GOD FOR A GOOD YEAR.

O yes! the Spirit of king Ching,

When we inquired of him, drew nigh,

And clearly told us when to bring

The gifts that now before him lie.