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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 II.

THE “SHANG MIN” DECADE.

II. ii. 1.

HOW-TSIH, THE PROGENITOR OF THE CHOW FAMILY.

[This Ode requires a little introduction, for general readers. It is in honour of How-tsih (or, more properly, of the How-tsih, a title meaning “lord of the millet,” his duties being the supervision of agriculture). The House of Chow traced their pedigree back to him, and when this dynasty was founded, sacrificial honours were paid to him. The Duke of Chow is said thereupon to have written this Ode, and probably it was “said or sung” at the time of the sacrifices. Kiáng Yün, the mother of How-tsih, is said to have been the Princess Consort of the Emperor Kuh, bc 2435-2357; but this can hardly have been so, because How-tsih flourished in the reign of Shun, which bears the date bc 2255-2205. In the legend of her son’s conception and birth, which is given in the first stanza of this Ode, while evidently they were believed to be miraculous, it is somewhat doubtful whether we are to translate (ti) in the sixth line by “God,” or by “Emperor” (meaning her husband.)*

The strange and easy birth, related in the second stanza, was regarded by the mother as an unlucky omen, and this explaint why in the third stanza she is represented as “exposing” him to be trampled on by cattle, then in the forest’s solitude, then on the ice. From all these dangers he had wonderful escapes, and she therefore took him back, and the name K‘i, “the Castaway,” was given to him in memory of these adventures. His early talent for husbandry grew with his years, he taught the people many improvements in it, and, becoming famous, the Emperor Yau at length made him Minister of Husbandry. The succeeding Emperor, Shun, made him Lord of T‘ai (stanza 5), and it was only after this that he became known as the How-tsih. The “old duke T‘an-fu,” mentioned in the “Wăn Wong” decade as the progenitor of the House of Chow, was his lineal descendant. How-tsih was, we are told here, the first to offer sacrifices as thank-offerings for the harvest, which were continued to the time of the Chow dynasty; but now, in the ritual of the Duke of Chow, he was joined with Heaven (), like the deceased Emperors.]

• • Our folk’s first origin
  • Is dated from Kiáng Yun:
  • (Now sing we) how this origin occurred:—
  • Once worshipping was she,
  • Praying, “Pity childless me,”
  • Then, treading on God’s toe-print, she was stirred;
  • This brought her blessing, brought her rest,
  • —Conception,—privacy;
  • Then came an infant to her breast;
  • That infant was How-tsih.
• • When all her months had run,
  • Came forth her first-born son,—
  • Came as a lamb comes, without manglement,
  • Or injury or throe,—
  • The prodigy to show!
  • Thus did not God vouchsafe to her content?
  • Thus did not her pure offerings please?
  • That she should have her child with ease.
• • She exposed him in a narrow lane,
  • The kine yet showed him care.
  • She exposed him in the forest-plain,
  • Wood-cutters found him there.
  • She exposed him on the ice-bound river, cold;
  • A bird with outspread wings did him enfold.
  • At length, forsaken by the bird,
  • He cried (for it to stay),
  • And long and loud his wails were heard
  • Along the whole highway.
• • When he could creep and crawl,
  • More wit had he than all;
  • When he grew on to feeding without aid,
  • He took to sowing beans,
  • And finely grew his beans,
  • And smiling rows of rice his toil repaid;
  • His hemp and wheat abundant grew,
  • His little gourds prolific too.
• • He taught the husbandman,
  • “Aid nature where you can:
  • First all the rank and grassy herbage clear;
  • Then sow your golden grain,
  • Well forced and put in train;
  • Thus sown ’twill soon above the soil appear,
  • And shoot aloft, and fructify,
  • Grow strong and fair to see,
  • Full awned and eared”—and this was why
  • The House of T‘ai won he.
• • And thus good seed men find,
  • Of millets every kind—
  • The black, the double-grained, the brown, the white.
  • Those first we see all round
  • Stacked on the reaping-ground;
  • The white and brown,—again a common sight,—
  • On back and shoulders home we bear,
  • To make our first-fruit* offerings there.
• • These how do we prepare?
  • Many the duty share:
  • Some thresh, some hull, some winnow well the grain;
  • ’Tis washed—with swish and swirl!
  • Distilled† —and vapours curl!
  • We fix the day, keep vigil, and abstain;
  • Bring herbs,‡ to offer with the fat,
  • The rams for the gods of roads;
  • Flesh roast and boiled;—good fortune that
  • For future years forebodes.
• • The sacred bowls, the pair
  • Of wood and earthenware,§
  • We fill; and odours sweet begin to rise;
  • Pleased God is with the smell,
  • So fragrant, timed so well.—
  • How-tsih it was began this sacrifice;
  • And none can rightfully regret
  • That it continues with us yet.

III. ii. 2.

A FESTAL ODE ON THE KING’S ENTERTAINMENT OF HIS RELATIVES.

• • Thickly tufted grow the roadside reeds;
  • Never there be hoofs of cattle treading.
  • Here maturing, there in perfect form,
  • How their supple glossy leaves are spreading!
  • So united see these brethren all,
  • Closely now, though never far divided;
  • Here for some are spread the festal mats,*
  • There for others rests have been provided.
• • Mats are spread,—one more is laid for each;
  • Rests supplied,—now crowd the waiters o’er them;
  • Guests are given their cups—they pledge their host;
  • His he rinses—their they place before them.
  • Offerings now of mincement dripping fine
  • And the viands, roast and boiled, are coming,—
  • Dainty condiment of tripe and jowl!
  • Then the songs commence, and then the drumming!
• • Now with gaily-coloured bows, and strong,
  • And the barbs of steel, four each, all equal,
  • All well matched, their arrows they let fly,
  • And win place according to the sequel.†
  • (Yet once more) the painted bows they grasp,
  • Each his arrows four again preparing;
  • Lo! four trees embedded!—Now each guest
  • Ranks according to his modest bearing!
• • Of a long (proud) lineage is the Host;
  • Potent are his spirits new-fermented;
  • And he fills with liberal hand the cup
  • To the hoary heads with prayer presented,—
  • Prayer that “hoary heads and wrinkled forms*
  • Be our helpers, leading and sustaining,—
  • That old age may find felicity,
  • Unto blessings great still greater gaining.”

III. ii. 3.

RESPONSE OF THE GUESTS TO THE KING.

• • Deep have we drunk of thy cups,
  • Full have we fed on thy favour;
  • Prince, may thy years never end!
  • Prosper thou, prosper for ever!
• • Deep have we drunk of thy cups;
  • Round have thy dainties been handed;
  • Prince, may thy years never end!
  • Be thy bright splendour expanded.
• • Bright be thy splendour, till full;
  • Lighting to ends that are greater.—
  • “Great ends begin”: so spake well
  • He, thy dead Sire’s personator.
• • What were the things that he spake?
  • “Pure are thy vessels, and stately;
  • They that serve with thee are friends;
  • Rightly they serve, and sedately;
• • “Rightly, sedately, full oft.
  • And thou hast sons who revere thee;
  • While without fail they be such
  • Blessing shall ever be near thee.
• • When shall this blessing then be?—
  • From the hid parts of thy dwelling;—
  • Years without end shalt thou live,
  • Blest, in succession unfailing.
• • “Why this succession prolonged?—
  • Heaven would with honours endue thee;
  • And through innumerous years
  • Make the high Calling pursue thee!
• • How shall it rest upon thee?
  • Through the brave lady (God) sent thee:
  • Through the brave lady; by her
  • Long shall thy line represent thee.”

III. ii. 4.

AT A FEAST GIVEN TO THE PERSONATORS OF THE KING’S ANCESTORS AT A SACRIFICE.*

• • Like the waterfowl† upon the King,‡
  • To their feast, all care disburdening,
  • Come the proxies of your ancestors.
  • Pure your drinks, your meats fine fragrance shed.—
  • Eat and drink, ye proxies of the dead!
  • Be your honours full accomplishèd!
• • Like the waterfowl upon the sands,
  • To your feast, expected at your hands,
  • Come the proxies of your ancestors.
  • Copious draughts and viands good are laid.
  • Eat and drink, ye proxies of the dead!
  • Let your honours come unto your aid!
• • Like the waterfowl upon the isle,
  • To their feast, and to their rest awhile,
  • Come the proxies of your ancestors.
  • Drinks refined, dried meat in slices served,
  • Eat and drink, ye proxies of the dead!
  • Are not honours yet for you reserved?
• • Like the waterfowl, where rivers meet,
  • To their feast,—each to an honoured seat,—
  • Come the proxies of your ancestors.
  • In the fane, where honours light, ’tis spread;
  • Eat and drink, ye proxies of the dead!
  • Lie not honours thick on every head?
• • Like the waterfowl within the cleft,
  • To their rest, to happy freedom, left,
  • Come the proxies of your ancestors.
  • Choice the drinks, for gladdening the heart!
  • And the roasts, what fragrance they impart!
  • Eat and drink, ye proxies of the dead!
  • Smooth’s the path hereafter you shall tread.

III. ii. 5.

RESPONSE.

[It is uncertain, but probable, that this Ode is again responsive,—the feasters of the last Ode expressing their admiration for their Prince and Host.]

• • O Prince, our admiration, our delight!
  • In noble virtues eminently bright;
  • Fit (guide) to high and low!
  • That high vocation thou didst win from Heaven;
  • Aid and protection with the call were given;
  • And Heaven will more bestow.
• • Quest of that dignity meant all of good:
  • From thee shall spring a countless multitude,
  • A reverend, lordly throng,
  • Meet for the lesser or the greater throne,
  • Making the ancient precedents their own,
  • In nought remiss or wrong;
• • Grave and decorous, firm and self-controlled,
  • Clinging to virtuous fame with steadfast hold,
  • Free from all grudge and hate;
  • Producing in their Servants all around
  • Like virtues; gaining blessings without bound;
  • Controlling every State;—
• • Controlling their affairs both great and small,
  • That so, more free, the chiefs and magnates all
  • May move in friendship’s ring.
  • And these will watch those Sons of Heaven with pride,
  • As for their people nought they leave untried
  • That rest to them may bring.

III. ii. 6.

DUKE LIU.*

• • High-souled Duke Liu!
  • He could not rest, nor take repose,—
  • Perambulating farm and field,
  • Storing the grain in mow and stack,
  • Tieing up stores, of these the yield,
  • Dry stores in bag and haversack.
  • —For ends of peace and glory, lo!
  • Forth come the arrow and the bow,
  • The shield and spear, the axe and bill:—
  • “Forward,” he cries, “with me who will.”
• • High-souled Duke Liu
  • Lo, congregated on the plain,†
  • The multitude, a concourse great!
  • Now they disperse at his behest.
  • Nor long do they bewail their state.
  • This done, he scales the mountain’s crest;
  • Then to the plain makes his descent,—‡
  • And what are those upon his waist?
  • Jadestones and gems! rare ornament
  • Wherewith his sword-sheath shall be graced.
• • High-souled Duke Liu!
  • He visited the Hundred Springs,
  • Looked o’er the plains there broad and vast;
  • Ascending then the southern heights,
  • He found an eminence (at last),
  • Round which all followers might have sites;
  • And here he settled, here he stayed,
  • Here huts for all who came he made,
  • Here let his will and word be known,
  • Here counsel took, and gave his own.
• • High-souled Duke Liu!
  • Now in his citadel secure,
  • His liegemen proudly paid their court:—
  • The mats were spread, the rests supplied,
  • Those for their seats, these their support.
  • Unto his herdsmen (oft) he hied,
  • And brought a porker from the pen!
  • And drinks from calabashes poured.
  • Thus did he feed and feast his men;
  • Thus did he act both host and lord.
• • High-souled Duke Liu!
  • Long now and broad were his domains:
  • He took their bearings—climbed the hills,
  • Surveyed the sunned and shadowed lands,
  • The rivers and the fountain-rills;
  • Disposed his forces in three bands;
  • Then portioned out the watered plain,
  • Allotting fields, for tax of grain;
  • Then portioned out the westering slopes:—
  • Pin’s settlers throve beyond their hopes.
• • High-souled Duke Liu!
  • Ill-lodged in Pin, they made them rafts
  • And crossed the Wai, and gathered thence
  • Sandstone and iron. Strong then stood
  • Each dwelling and each border fence.
  • Growing in wealth and multitude,
  • They crowd and fill the vale of Hwang,
  • And press far up the vale of Kwo;
  • At length, so thick becomes the throng,
  • Beyond the Juy they overflow.

III. ii. 7.

ADMONITION TO THE KING.*

• • From wayside pool afar
  • Foul water you may drain,
  • That, settling, straining, jar from jar,
  • May serve to steam your rice and grain.
  • So a refiner† will that ruler be
  • In whom the people shall their parent‡ see.
• • From wayside pool afar
  • Foul water you may drain,
  • That, settling, straining, jar from jar,
  • Will cleanse your cups from every stain.
  • And such refinement will that ruler see
  • To whom his people confidently flee.
• • From wayside pool afar
  • Foul water you may bring,
  • That, settling, straining, jar from jar,
  • Will wash and cleanse (each single thing).
  • And such refinement will that ruler see
  • Who gives his people rest and liberty.

III. ii. 8.

FURTHER ADMONITION, UNDER THE GUISE OF CONGRATULATION.*

• • O’er the windings of the mound,
  • With the south wind rustling round,
  • There our Prince, in joyous ease,
  • Sauntering, singing, came along.
  • Thus I worded him a song:—
• • “Gaily, Sir, thou takest ease,
  • Roaming as thy fancies please,
  • Joyously dismissing care.
  • Fully may thy life unfold,
  • Ripening like thy Sires’ of old.
• • “Great and glorious is thy land,
  • Fortune well hath filled thine hand;
  • Prince, enjoy thy happy ease!
  • Full of years, long may thou feast
  • The great spirit-world, its Priest!
• • “Heaven gave thee a mission large,
  • Peace yet marks thy blessed charge;
  • Prince, enjoy thy happy ease!
  • Fully may thy life unfold,
  • That great blessing long to hold.
• • “Thou hast trusty helps and stays,
  • Men of duteous, virtuous ways,
  • Men to lead, and men to back!
  • Prince, enjoy thy happy ease;
  • All the world its pattern sees!
• • “Gleam thy majesty and grace
  • As thy sceptre and thy mace!
  • Bright thy past and bright thine aim.
  • Prince, enjoy thy happy ease;
  • All the world is at thy knees!
  • “Like the phœnixes* in flight,
  • Rustling, rustling, till they light,
  • Till a resting-place they’ve won,—
  • So thy happy Servants all,
  • Crowding round thee, wait thy call;
  • Aye, they love their king, Heaven’s Son.
  • “Like the phœnixes in flight,
  • Rustling, rustling up the height,
  • Till they pierce the heaven above,—
  • So thy happy Servants all,
  • Crowding round thee, wait thy call;
  • And thy people own their love.
  • “Phœnixes are calling now
  • High on yonder mountain’s brow,
  • Where dryandra-trees† abound.
  • Thickly on the Eastern face
  • Stand the trees, and grow apace.
  • There their tuneful calls resound.
  • “Chariots does our Prince possess?
  • Well-nigh they are numberless!
  • Horses? Yea, well-trained and fleet.
  • —But my lay is now complete;
  • Short it is, and only meant
  • Thine own song to supplement.”

III. ii. 9.

CENSURE OF KING LI’S GOVERNMENT.*

• • Sorely their burdens press upon the people;
  • Haply their hardships may be modified.
  • Here show them kindness in the mother province,
  • So cheer and hope will travel far and wide.
  • Countenance not the flatterers and deceivers,
  • So every worthless character restrain;
  • Down with the tyrants, down with the marauders,
  • Men who respect not rule and order plain.
  • Courteous to strangers, helpful to our own,
  • So shall the king sit firmer on his throne.
• • Sorely their burdens press upon the people;
  • Haply their state admits of some relief:—
  • Here show them kindness in the mother province,
  • So will the nation rally round its Chief.
  • Countenance not the flatterers and deceivers,
  • So all uproarious arrogance repress;
  • Down with the tyrants, down with the marauders,
  • Let not the nation suffer such distress;
  • Let not your toilsome task be set aside:
  • So shall the king on smoother currents glide.
• • Sorely their burdens press upon the people;
  • These may not we to some extent abate?
  • Here show them kindness in the mother city,
  • So cheer and hope will visit every State.
  • Countenance not the flatterer and deceiver,
  • So all unbounded insolence repress;
  • Down with the tyrant, down with the marauder,
  • Frustrate their deeds of vice and wickedness.
  • Strict in deportment, guard your every mood,
  • Tread thus the path all worthies have pursued.
• • Sorely their burden presses on the people;
  • May not some respite to the land be given?
  • Here show them kindness in the mother province,
  • So let their sorrow far away be driven,
  • Countenance not the flatterer and deceiver,
  • So be repressed the fierce and villain crew;
  • Down with the tyrant, down with the marauder,
  • Keep undefiled right principles and true.
  • Though you be “come not yet to man’s estate,”
  • Yet you have noble precedents and great.
• • Sorely their burden presses on the people;
  • Haply they now might partially repose.
  • Here show them kindness in the mother province,
  • Let not the whole land suffer from its foes.
  • Countenance not the flatterer and deceiver,
  • So be repressed the leech-like parasite;
  • Down with the tyrant, down with the marauder,
  • Hold unreversed true principle and right.
  • You for his jewels, lo, the King designs!
  • So mean these bold admonitory lines!

III. ii. 10.

FURTHER ADMONITIONS.*

• • God hath turned away His face,
  • And the land is full of woe.
  • All your speech is out of place,
  • All your plans no foresight show.
  • Guideless, people grope their way,
  • Even truth appears untrue!
  • On the weakness you display,
  • Let me thus admonish you:—
• • Heaven is bringing bitter things;
  • Be not you on pleasures bent.
  • Heaven this great arousing brings;
  • Be not idly negligent.
  • Speak ye all with one accord,
  • Then the nation will unite;
  • Speak but pleasantly the word,
  • Calmer then will be its plight.
• • Your task is not mine, ’tis true,
  • Fellow-servants yet are we;
  • Why, when I advise with you,
  • Raise such cries on hearing me!
  • What I say concerns your task,
  • Do not treat it as a joke.
  • Once men said, “(Scorn not to) ask
  • Counsel from the meanest† folk.”
• • Heaven is now in mood severe,
  • Do not mockingly deride.
  • I am old; I am sincere;
  • You are young, and full of pride.
  • Yet not years my speech compel,
  • ’Tis your mocking at men’s grief.
  • Ah! like flames these woes will swell,
  • Till they pass beyond relief.
• • Heaven doth now its wrath display:—
  • Flaunting flattery begone!
  • Ah, decorum flees away,
  • Good men dead* men’s livery don
  • All our people moan and sigh,
  • And we dare not question why;
  • All are ruined, wrecked, in need,
  • And no kindness we concede.
• • How to man comes heavenly light?
  • Whistle, and the flute will play† !
  • Make the mace’s halves unite!
  • Touch and take a thing away.
  • Take it. Nothing more’s to add.
  • Men are taught with greatest ease.
  • Many things they know, of bad,
  • Show them you are not of these!
• • Good men are our fence (I ween),
  • The great army is our wall,
  • Great surrounding States a screen,
  • The great Clans the stay of all,
  • Love of virtue our repose,
  • (Royal) heirs our wall and foss.
  • To no harm this wall expose,
  • Lest come Terror with its loss!
• • Fear Heaven’s anger, then, nor dare
  • So to idle, so to jest.
  • Fear Heaven’s changeful brow, nor dare
  • Drive so fast in pleasure’s quest.
  • High is Heaven, yet hath it eyes,
  • Eyes that all your ways pursue.
  • High is Heaven, yet it descries
  • All you dissolutely do.

[* ]Mayers, in his “Chinese Reader’s Manual,” says that she, “having met with a giant’s footstep while walking abroad, became with child through the act of setting her foot within the imprint”; but this interpretation of the word will not hold good.

[* ]Dr. Legge translates—“the sacrifices which he founded.” But is not châu sze here simply a first or first-fruit offering? Doubtless it means more in the last stanza.

[† ]Query, whether ching denotes the distilling process, or merely steaming.

[‡ ]Southernwood.

[§ ]The one of wood, the other of earthenware.

[* ]For the guests to recline upon.

[† ]Lit., talent, skill.

[* ]Lit., backs.

[* ]The feast to these men is said to have been given after all was over,—on the day following that of the sacrifice, and to have consisted of a re-cooking of what was left unconsumed at the sacrificial feast. It was spread in the Temple. The words seem addressed to both the King and these proxies.

[† ]The birds mentioned in each verse are the wild duck and another about which there is some doubt.

[‡ ]The river King.

[* ]The story of the migration and settlement in Pin (the modern Pin Chow, in Shen-si), in the year bc 1796, of Duke Liu and his followers, and of the manner in which that State throve under his wise rule. Duke Liu was one of the prominent ancestors of the House of Chow.

[† ]The scene is evidently shifted to their destination.

[‡ ]Lines 6 and 7, taken by themselves, remind us of the famous couplet,—“There was a fleet went out to Spain; When it returned, it came again”; but these further lines would seem to indicate that the duke had an object in exploring the hills.

[* ]Supposed to have been written by the Duke of Shau and addressed to King Ch‘ing.

[† ]The words k‘ai ti translated “joyous and free,” &c., in other Odes, seem to have another signification here, and Dr. Legge draws attention to the fact that Confucius interpreted somewhat as above in the Li-ki, quoting from these verses.

[‡ ]Lit., father and mother.

[* ]Supposed to have been improvised by the same Duke of Shau during a stroll with the king.

[* ]Phœnixes are always introduced as ominous of good, generally of a numerous progeny, but here they are mentioned, it is thought, simply as metaphorical of the abundance of virtuous men in office, and the prosperity of the time.

[† ]Dryandra-trees were thought to be the only trees on which they would settle.

[* ]Li was the tenth sovereign of the Chow line (bc 878-827). A great officer here calls upon his confrères to use every means to alleviate the misery of the country.

[* ]Addressed by the same officer to his juniors in other departments, for their levity and idleness. Times had grown still worse.

[† ]Lit., from the grass and fuel cutters.

[* ]Meaning, they are reduced to a state in which they can do nothing; literally, act as personators of the dead, men who undertook no other duties.

[† ]This is far from literal, and a literal translation would be nonsense; but it seems to give the meaning of , , . Flute and whistle responding to each other, the joining together of the two equal parts of a mace, and the handling of objects, represent respectively the ready response of man’s intellect to the call of truth and rectitude, the accord and perfection which this response brings about, and the ease with which it is done.