As when the north winds whistle shrill,
  And drifting snows each hollow fill,
  The source of pain and suffering great,
  So now it is in Wei’s poor state,
  Let us join hands, and leave for aye,
    My friends and lovers all,
  ’Tis not a time will brook delay;
    Things for prompt action call.

  We look for red, and foxes meet;
  For black, and crows our vision greet. 
  The creatures, both of omen bad,
  Well suit the state of Wei so sad.

  Let us join hands and mount our cars,
    My friends and lovers all. 
  No time remains for wordy jars;
    Things for prompt action call.

Chwang Keang Bemoans Her Husband’s Cruelty

  Fierce is the wind and cold;
    And such is he. 
  Smiling he looks, and bold
    Speaks mockingly. 
  Scornful and lewd his words,
    Haughty his smile. 
  Bound is my heart with cords
    In sorrow’s coil.

  As cloud of dust wind-blown,
    Just such is he. 
  Ready he seems to own,
    And come to me. 
  But he comes not nor goes,
    Stands in his pride. 
  Long, long, with painful throes,
    Grieved I abide.

  Strong blew the wind; the cloud
    Hastened away. 
  Soon dark again, the shroud
    Covers the day. 
  I wake, and sleep no more
    Visits my eyes. 
  His course I sad deplore,
    With heavy sighs.

  Cloudy the sky, and dark;
    The thunders roll. 
  Such outward signs well mark
    My troubled soul. 
  I wake, and sleep no more
    Comes to give rest. 
  His course I sad deplore,
    In anguished breast.

[NOTE:  Selections from Books IV., V., and VI., have been omitted.—­EDITOR.]

BOOK VII

THE ODES OF CH’ING

The People’s Admiration for Duke Woo

  The black robes well your form befit;
    When they are worn we’ll make you new. 
  Now for your court! oh! there we’ll sit,
    And watch how you your duties do. 
      And when we to our homes repair,
      We’ll send to you our richest fare,
      Such is the love to you we bear!

  Those robes well with your virtue match;
    When they are worn we’ll make you new. 
  Now for your court!  There will we watch,
    Well pleased, how you your duties do. 
      And when we to our homes repair,
      We’ll send to you our richest fare,
      Such is the love to you we bear!

  Those robes your character beseem;
    When they are worn we’ll make you new. 
  Now for your court! oh! there we deem
    It pleasure great your form to view. 
      And when we to our homes repair,
      We’ll send to you our richest fare,
      Such is the love to you we bear!

A Wife Consoled by Her Husband’s Arrival