Chinese Literature Part 34

Still further east we took the way To Foo-mere's gra.s.sy plains that leads.

Loud-voiced, the masters of the chase Arranged the huntsmen, high and low.

While banners streamed, and ox-tails flew, We sought the prey on distant Gaou.

Each with full team, the princes came, A lengthened train in bright array.

In gold-wrought slippers, knee-caps red, They looked as on an audience day.

Each right thumb wore the metal guard; On the left arm its shield was bound.

In unison the arrows flew; The game lay piled upon the ground.

The leaders of the tawny teams Sped on their course, direct and true.

The drivers perfect skill displayed; Like blow well aimed each arrow flew.

Neighing and pleased, the steeds returned; The bannered lines back slowly came.

No jostling rude disgraced the crowd; The king declined large share of game.

So did this famous hunt proceed!

So free it was from clamorous sound!

Well does our King become his place, And high the deeds his reign have crowned!

~The King's Anxiety for His Morning Levee~

How goes the night? For heavy morning sleep Ill suits the king who men would loyal keep.

The courtyard, ruddy with the torch's light, Proclaims unspent the deepest hour of night.

Already near the gate my lords appear; Their tinkling bells salute my wakeful ear.

How goes the night? I may not slumber on.

Although not yet the night is wholly gone, The paling torch-light in the court below Gives token that the hours swift-footed go.

Already at the gate my lords appear; Their tinkling bells with measured sound draw near.

How goes the night? I may not slumber now.

The darkness smiles with morning on its brow.

The courtyard torch no more gives forth its ray, But heralds with its smoke the coming day.

My princes pa.s.s the gate, and gather there; I see their banners floating in the air.

~Moral Lessons from Natural Facts~

All true words fly, as from yon reedy marsh The crane rings o'er the wild its screaming harsh.

Vainly you try reason in chains to keep;-- Freely it moves as fish sweeps through the deep.

Hate follows love, as 'neath those sandal-trees The withered leaves the eager searcher sees.

The hurtful ne'er without some good was born;-- The stones that mar the hill will grind the corn.

All true words spread, as from the marsh's eye The crane's sonorous note ascends the sky.

Goodness throughout the widest sphere abides, As fish round isle and through the ocean glides.

And lesser good near greater you shall see, As grows the paper shrub 'neath sandal-tree.

And good emerges from what man condemns;-- Those stones that mar the hill will polish gems.

BOOK IV

THE DECADE OF K'E-FOO

~On the Completion of a Royal Palace~

On yonder banks a palace, lo! upshoots, The tender blue of southern hill behind; Firm-founded, like the bamboo's clamping roots; Its roof made pine-like, to a point defined.

Fraternal love here bears its precious fruits, And unfraternal schemes be ne'er designed!

Ancestral sway is his. The walls they rear, Five thousand cubits long; and south and west The doors are placed. Here will the king appear, Here laugh, here talk, here sit him down and rest.

To mould the walls, the frames they firmly tie; The toiling builders beat the earth and lime.

The walls shall vermin, storm, and bird defy;-- Fit dwelling is it for his lordly prime.

Grand is the hall the n.o.ble lord ascends;-- In height, like human form most reverent, grand; And straight, as flies the shaft when bow unbends; Its tints, like hues when pheasant's wings expand.

High pillars rise the level court around; The pleasant light the open chamber steeps; And deep recesses, wide alcoves, are found, Where our good king in perfect quiet sleeps.

Laid is the bamboo mat on rush mat square;-- Here shall he sleep, and, waking, say, "Divine What dreams are good? For bear and grizzly bear, And snakes and cobras, haunt this couch of mine."

Then shall the chief diviner glad reply, "The bears foreshow that Heaven will send you sons.

The snakes and cobras daughters prophesy.

These auguries are all auspicious ones.

"Sons shall be his--on couches lulled to rest.

The little ones, enrobed, with sceptres play; Their infant cries are loud as stern behest; Their knees the vermeil covers shall display.

As king hereafter one shall be addressed; The rest, our princes, all the States shall sway.

"And daughters also to him shall be born.

They shall be placed upon the ground to sleep; Their playthings tiles, their dress the simplest worn; Their part alike from good and ill to keep, And ne'er their parents' hearts to cause to mourn; To cook the food, and spirit-malt to steep."

~The Condition of King Seuen's Flocks~

Who dares to say your sheep are few?

The flocks are all three hundred strong.

Who dares despise your cattle too?

There ninety, black-lipped, press along.

Though horned the sheep, yet peaceful each appears; The cattle come with moist and flapping ears.