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• Introduction to the Shi King. *
• Part I.: Characteristics of the States.
• Book I.: The Odes of Chow and the South. *
• Book II.: The Odes of ShÂu and the South. *
• Book III.: The Odes of P‘ei.
• Book IV.: The Odes of Yung. *
• Book V.: The Odes of Wei.
• Book VI.: The Odes of the Royal Domain. *
• Book VII.: The Odes of Ch‘ing. *
• Book VIII.: The Odes of Ts‘i. *
• Book IX.: The Odes of Wei. *
• Book X.: The Odes of T‘ang. *
• Book XI.: The Odes of Ts‘in. *
• Book XII.: The Odes of Ch‘in. *
• Book XIII.: The Odes of Kwai. *
• Book XIV.: The Odes of Ts‘Âu. *
• Book XV.: The Odes of Pin. *
• Part II.: The Minor Festal Odes.
• Book I.
• Book II.
• Book III.
• Book IV.
• Book V.
• Book VI.
• Book VII.
• Book VIII.
• Part III.: The Greater Festal Odes.
• Book I.: The “wĂn Wong” Decade. *
• Book II.: The “shang Min” Decade.
• Book III.: The “tang” Decade.
• Part IV.: Festal Hymns and Songs.
• Book I.: The Hymns of Chow. * First Section.
• Book II.: The Hymns of Chow. Second Section.
• Book III.: The Hymns of Chow. Third Section.
• Book IV.: The Festal Songs of Lu. *
• Book V.: The Festal Odes of Shang.

BOOK VII.

THE ODES OF CH‘ING.*

I. vii. 1.

DEVOTION OF THE PEOPLE TO DUKE WU OF CH‘ING.

• • O the jet-black† robes, how becoming they are!
  • And when these are outworn we will others prepare.
  • And where lodgeth our prince we’ll attend;‡
  • And, returning, a feast to him send.
• • O the jet-black robes, they are goodly and grand!
  • And when these are outworn, we’ll have others in hand.
  • And where lodgeth our prince we’ll attend;
  • And, returning, a feast to him send.
• • O the jet-black robes, how his figure they grace!
  • And when these are outworn, shall be more in their place.
  • And where lodgeth our prince we’ll attend;
  • And, returning, a feast to him send.

I. vii. 2.

MASTER CHUNG.*

• • Master Chung would better please,
  • Came he not with sudden bounds
  • Trespassing within our grounds,
  • Broke he not our willow-trees.
  • Not that much I care for these:
  • ’Tis my parents that I fear.
  • Chung is doubtless very dear,
  • What yet would the parents say?
  • That I also have to fear.
• • Master Chung would better please,
  • Came he not with sudden sprawl
  • Climbing o’er our garden wall,
  • Broke he not our mulberry-trees.
  • Not that much I care for these:
  • ’Tis my brothers that I fear.
  • Chung is doubtless very dear,
  • What yet would my brothers say?
  • That I also have to fear.
• • Master Chung would better please,
  • If still nearer came he not—
  • Bounding o’er the garden plot,
  • Broke he not our sandal-trees.
  • Not that much I care for these:
  • ’Tis the people’s talk I fear.
  • Chung is doubtless very dear,
  • What yet would the people say?
  • That I also have to fear.

I. vii. 3.

A DASHING, POPULAR YOUNG HUNTER.

• • When Shuh* goes to the meet,
  • There’s ne’er a man left in the street.
  • Nay, scarce may that be true,—
  • Yet none there is like Shuh,
  • In grace and manliness complete.
• • When Shuh goes to the chase,
  • No feasting is there in the place.
  • Nay, scarce may that be true,—
  • Yet none there is like Shuh,
  • For right good-fellowship and grace.
• • When Shuh goes to the plains,
  • No horsemen are there in the lanes.
  • Nay, scarce may that be true,—
  • Yet never one like Shuh
  • For grace and dash indeed remains.

I. vii. 4.

THE SAME.

• • Away goeth Shuh to the plains:
  • He is mounted and off with his team;
  • And like ribbons to him are the reins,
  • And his off-steeds† dancers would seem!
• • See him now in the jungle alight;
  • See the fires* all blazing up bright;—
  • Body bared, on a tiger he springs!
  • To the duke the brave offering he brings!
  • Yet, O Shuh, be less rash with thine arm:
  • And beware, lest one do thee some harm.
• • Away goeth Shuh to the hunt:
  • He is mounted and off with his bays;
  • With his inner pair well to the front,
  • And the outer—wild-geese† in their ways!
  • See him now in the jungle appear;
  • See the fires all ablaze far and near;—
  • O an excellent archer is Shuh;
  • And a good one at horsemanship too!
  • See him gallop, and draw up his steed,
  • Shoot his arrow, and after it speed!
• • Away to the hunt he is gone:
  • He is mounted and off with his greys;
  • And his inner ones’ heads seem as one,
  • While the outer like wings he arrays!
  • See him there in the jungle once more;
  • Hear the masses of flame, how they roar!
  • —Now less quickly he urges his steeds,
  • And more seldom the arrow he needs;
  • And the quiver he now doth unbrace,
  • And the bow give again to its case.

I. vii. 5.

IDLE MANŒUVRING ON THE BORDERS.*

• • The men of Ts‘ing† were quartered first in P‘ang;
  • And there the mail-clad teams dashed to and fro.
  • From spear and lance the double plumes would hang.
  • And idly hovered all upon the Ho.
• • The men of Ts‘ing were quartered next in Siau:
  • There were the mail-clad teams in brave array.
  • The spear and lance their hooks‡ were showing now!
  • There by the Ho the time was spent in play!
• • The men of Ts‘ing were quartered last in Chuh:
  • There, too, the mail-clad teams pranced merrilie.
  • The right wing wheeled, the left its weapons drew;
  • The leader in the midst—how proud was he!

I. vii. 6.

PRAISE OF A HIGH OFFICIAL.

• • Clad in his lamb’s-fur, as with unguent shining,
  • Strictly in form, and befitting his estate,—
  • Mark ye the statesman, heart and will resigning
  • Duty to stand to, ne’er to deviate!
• • Clad in his lamb’s-fur, panther-skin at border,
  • Speaking of martial prowess and of might,—
  • Mark ye the statesman: he it is will order
  • Trusts of his country ably and aright
• • Clad in his lamb’s-fur, there in all its beauty
  • Brightly adorned with the honour-badges three.
  • Mark ye the statesman: skilled in every duty,
  • Right worthy servant of his land is he!

I. vii. 7.

OLD LOVE SHOULD NOT BE RUPTURED.

• • O I followed down the highway;
  • O I grasped and held him by the sleeve;
  • And I cried, “O do not hate me,
  • Nor so quick thine old companion leave!”
• • O I followed down the highway;
  • O I grasped and held his hands in mine;
  • And I cried, “O do not spurn me,
  • Nor thy love so hastily resign!”

I. vii. 8.

THE GOOD HOUSEWIFE.

• • “The cocks are crowing,” quoth the wife;
  • “The dawn scarce glimmers yet,” quoth he.—
  • “But rise, and see how goes the night:
  • The morning star shines brilliantly;
  • Out and about! Go, take thy bow:
  • Wild ducks and geese are waiting thee!
• • “And of the game thine arrow hits,
  • I’ll make for thee a fit repast;
  • And o’er it we will drink the cup,
  • ‘To live, as one, while life shall last.’
  • And, lutes in hand, nought else shall be
  • But peace and happy harmony.
• • “And when I know whom thou wouldst have to see thee,
  • My girdle-pendants* with me they shall share;
  • And when I know whom thou dost find congenial,
  • Like offerings also I will bid them wear;
  • And when I know whom thou hast found to love thee,
  • Still more for their requital I will spare.”

I. vii. 9.

MY LADY’S CHARMS.

• • In the carriage I ride,
  • A young wife at my side,
  • With a face like the hedge-rose fair;
  • And we ramble at will,
  • And mine eyes roam still
  • To the gems at her girdle there.
  • O handsome is she, the eldest Kiang,—
  • Handsome truly, and debonair.
• • And when walking I go
  • She is with me, and O
  • Like the hedge-rose blooms her face;
  • And in rambling around
  • I can hear the sound
  • Of the gems that her girdle grace.
  • O handsome is she, the eldest Kiang,—
  • Her good name shall no time efface!

I. vii. 10.

BY-PLAY.*

• • For the hill the myrtle-tree,†
  • For the swamp the water-lily.
  • No Tse-tu‡ see I for me,
  • Only some one crazed and silly!
• • For the hill the stately fir,
  • For the swamp the dragon-vetch.§
  • No Tse-ch‘ung‡ see I astir,
  • Only you,—sly little wretch!

I. vii. 11.

AN APPEAL.∥

• • Fading, fading tree!
  • Winds thy leaves will strew.
  • O good sirs, good sirs!
  • Lead,—we follow you.
• • Fading, fading tree!
  • Sport of winds when high.
  • O good sirs, good sirs!
  • Lead,—and we comply.

I. vii. 12.

TIT FOR TAT.

• • O the artful boy!
  • Now so dumb to me whene’er we meet.
  • And for his sole sake
  • I must be unable now to eat!
• • O the artful boy!
  • Now no more to be my table-guest;
  • And for his sole sake
  • I must be unable now to rest!

I. vii. 13.

A CHALLENGE.

• • If, boy, thy thoughts of me were kind,
  • I’d lift my skirts and wade the Tsin;
  • But if thou be of other mind,
  • Is there none else my love would win?
  • O craziest of crazy boys!
• • Ay, if thy thoughts of me were kind,
  • I’d lift my skirts and wade the Wai;
  • But if thy thoughts are else inclined,
  • Is there none other gallant nigh?
  • O craziest of crazy boys!

I. vii. 14.

REGRETS.

• • O so handsome looked my swain,
  • Waiting for me in the lane!
  • O I rue he came in vain.
• • Noblest looked he of them all,
  • As he waited in the hall!
  • O I rue I shunned his call.
• • O’er broidered robe and broidered skirt
  • My mantle I will throw.
  • And then, good sirs, good sirs, my steeds!
  • And with him I will go.
• • O’er broidered skirt and broidered robe
  • The mantle I have thrown.
  • So now, good sirs, good sirs, my steeds!
  • His home shall be my own.

I. vii. 15.

SO NEAR, AND YET SO FAR.

• • Beyond the East-gate, where the space is clear,
  • And where the madder-plant grows on the brae,
  • The house is there, so near,
  • The man so far* away!
• • Beyond the East-gate, where the chestnuts grow,
  • There are the houses standing in a row.
  • There think I not of thee?
  • Thence com’st thou ne’er to me.

I. vii. 16.

JOY AT THE GOODMAN’S RETURN.

• • Though cold it be with wind and rain,
  • The cock crows out his “cockaloo”;
  • The goodman I have seen again,
  • How were not I contented too?
• • Though wild the gusts of wind and rain,
  • The cock crows out his “cockalee”;*
  • The goodman I have seen again,
  • How should not every trouble flee?
• • Dark though it be with wind and rain,
  • The cock unceasing lifts his voice.
  • And, having seen my lord again,
  • How should not now my heart rejoice?

I. vii. 17.

NEGLECTED.

• • Dear wearer of the collar blue!
  • Long hath my heart no peace.
  • What though I may not come to thee,
  • Must then thy missives cease?
• • Dear wearer of the cincture blue!
  • Long is my anxious thought.
  • What though I may not come to thee,
  • Must I be left unsought?
• • There by the watch-tower on the wall
  • Thou mak’st thyself full free!
  • While, with no glimpse of thee, one day
  • Is like three months to me!

I. vii. 18.

TRUST THY LAST FRIEND AGAINST THE WORLD.

• • A babbling current fails*
  • To float a load of thorns away.—
  • Of brothers, few are left us now,
  • Yet we remain, myself and thou:
  • Believe not others’ tales,
  • Others will lead thee far astray.
• • The babbling current fails
  • To float the firewood faggots far.—
  • Of brothers there are left but few,
  • Yet I and thou remain, we two:
  • Believe not others’ tales,
  • For verily untrue they are!

I. vii. 19.

ONE MODEST MAID IS MORE THAN ALL.

• • Through the East-gate, outward bound,
  • Cloud-like groups of maids I found;
  • Cloud-like though the beauties were,
  • She I thought of was not there,—
  • She in white, with kerchief blue,
  • She who gives me pleasure true.
• • Past the outer gate and tower
  • Maids I found like reeds in flower.
  • Though with these they might compare,
  • She I thought of was not there,—
  • She in white, with madder dyes,
  • She my happiness, my prize!

I. vii. 20.

FORTUITOUS CONCOURSE.

• • Where creeping plants grew on the wild
  • And heavy dews declined,
  • There was a fair one all alone,
  • Bright-eyed, good-looking, kind.
  • Chance brought us to each other’s side,
  • And all my wish was gratified.
• • Where creeping plants grew on the wild,
  • And thick the dew-drops stood,
  • There was the fair one all alone,
  • Kind, as the looks were good.
  • Chance let us meet each other there,
  • Our mutual happiness to share.

I. vii. 21.

A SPRINGTIDE CARNIVAL.

• • When Tsin and Wai
  • Their floods expand,
  • Go men and maids
  • Marsh-flowers in hand.*
  • And maids will ask,
  • And men reply,
  • “Hast looked around?”
  • “Ay, that have I!”
  • —“But shall we go look round
  • Beyond the Wai?
  • There, sure, is room, and there
  • We can be jolly!”
• • So men and maidens join
  • In playful folly;
  • And to each other bring
  • The floral offering.*
• • When Tsin and Wai
  • Flow deep and clear,
  • Then men and maids
  • In crowds appear.
  • And maids will ask, &c., &c.

[* ]Ch‘ing was a feudal State of later foundation (805 bc). Duke Wu was its second ruler (773-742).

[† ]Jet-black was the official colour of the king’s ministers’ robes, worn at their own audiences.

[‡ ]The people would first make sure that all preparations were made for him in the Court-lodgings (which were sometimes out of repair), and then furnish his table. Evidently the verses were written on his succession to the dukedom.

[* ]Chung () is the second of two or more brothers. The eldest is called pih (), the second chung (), the third shuh (), the fourth ki (). In the next two pieces we have a shuh, a third brother; but this appellation is often given to younger brothers indiscriminately.

[* ]See note to last piece. This Shuh is said to have been a son of Duke Wu of Ch‘ing; and of him Chu-hi remarks in his commentary, “though a scape-grace, he yet won all: his countrymen loved him.”

[† ]The two outer horses (of the four). “Like dancers”—moving with regular step.

[* ]Viz., to beat up the game.

[† ]Being a little behind the two inside horses, they presented the wedge-shaped appearance of a flock of wild-geese.

[* ]Duke Wăn of Ch‘ing (bc 662-627), through dislike to his minister Kâu K‘ih, despatched him with some troops to the Ho, and he was stationed at different places along the river without being recalled. Evidently he enjoyed his banishment.

[† ]A city of Ch‘ing.

[‡ ]These weapons seem to have had hooks near the point for grappling, and from these hooks the plumes of v. 1 were suspended. At this second stage of their banishment the plumes were evidently worn off.

[* ]Seven of these were usually worn strung together with pearls, dangling from the girdle. They would vary in costliness with the rank of the wearer, but as a rule seem to have been of precious stones.

[* ]A woman’s playful mockery of her lover.

[† ]The fu-su () tree does not seem to be identified.

[‡ ]Tse-tu and Tse-ch‘ung are probably not to be taken as names, but as somewhat equivalent to our Adonis and Apollo. Mencius refers to a Tse-tu who lived about bc 800, as the type of a handsome man. Tse-ch’ung, after the allusion to the lofty fir, may refer to some other tall and handsome person, then well known.

[§ ]Lit., the “wandering dragon”—a sort of marsh plant.

[∥ ]The old expositors say that this piece is directed against the ruler of the State, who was weak while his ministers were strong. The speakers, according to this view, would be the inferior officers, addressing their superiors; and the “fading tree” would be the decaying state of the country. But later expositors see in it the solicitations of immodest women. The position which the piece occupies would seem to favour this latter view; yet it ought to be mentioned that a historical interpretation has been given to almost all these Odes, whether they will bear such or not.

[* ]“Far” only in the sense of his never showing himself.

[* ]The sounds of the cock’s crowing are thus varied in the original for the sake of the rhyme.

[* ]This seems to have been a proverbial expression, and capable of different applications. Here it seems to point to the inability of slander to affect the hearts of those who are joined together in the bonds of friendship. They are like bundles of thorns or fuel.

[* ]Evidently these flowers were of a medicinal character, and the annual search for them in spring was now undertaken with a very different object.

[* ]The precise flower here mentioned is the small sweet-smelling peony.