When first we took the field, and northward
went,
The millet was in flower;—a
prospect sweet.
Now when our weary steps are homeward
bent,
The snow falls fast, the mire
impedes our feet.
Many the hardships we were
called to meet,
Ere the King’s orders we had all
fulfilled.
No rest we had; often our
friends to greet
The longing came; but vain regrets we
stilled;
By tablets stern our hearts with fresh
resolve were thrilled.
“Incessant chirp the insects in
the grass;
All round about the nimble
hoppers spring.
From them our thoughts quick to our husbands
pass?
Although those thoughts our
hearts with anguish wring.
Oh! could we see them, what
relief ’twould bring!
Our hearts, rejoiced, at once would feel
at rest.”
Thus did our wives, their
case deploring, sing;
The while our leader farther on had pressed,
And smitten with his power the wild Jung
of the west.
The spring days now are lengthening out
their light;
The plants and trees are dressed
in living green;
The orioles resting sing, or wing their
flight;
Our wives amid the southern-wood
are seen,
Which white they bring, to
feed their silkworms keen.
Our host, returned, sweeps onwards to
the hall,
Where chiefs are questioned,
shown the captives mean
Nan Chung, majestic, draws the gaze of
all,
Proud o’er the barbarous foe his
victories to recall.
BOOK II
THE DECADE OF PIH H’WA
An Ode Appropriate to a Festivity
The dew lies heavy all around,
Nor, till the sun shines, leaves the ground.
Far into night we feasting sit;
We drink, and none his place may quit.
The dew lies heavy, and its gems
Stud the luxuriant, grassy stems.
The happy night with wassail rings;
So feasted here the former kings.
The jujube and the willow-tree
All fretted with the dew we see.
Each guest’s a prince of noble line,
In whom the virtues all combine.
The t’ung and e their
fruits display,
Pendant from every graceful spray.
My guests are joyous and serene,
No haggard eye, no ruffled mien.
BOOK III
THE DECADE OF TUNG RUNG
Celebrating a Hunting Expedition
Our chariots were well-built and firm,
Well-matched our steeds, and
fleet and strong.
Four, sleek and large, each chariot drew,
And eastward thus we drove
along.
Our hunting cars were light and good,
Each with its team of noble
steeds.
Still further east we took the way
To Foo-mere’s grassy
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.