An Ode of Congratulation

  The russet pear-tree stands there all alone;
  How bright the growth of fruit upon it shown! 
  The King’s affairs no stinting hands require,
  And days prolonged still mock our fond desire. 
  But time has brought the tenth month of the year;
  My woman’s heart is torn with wound severe. 
  Surely my warrior lord might now appear!

  The russet pear-tree stands there all alone;
  How dense the leafy shade all o’er it thrown! 
  The King’s affairs require no slackening hand,
  And our sad hearts their feelings can’t command. 
  The plants and trees in beauty shine; ’tis spring. 
  From off my heart its gloom I fain would fling. 
  This season well my warrior home may bring!

  I climbed that northern hill, and medlars sought;
  The spring nigh o’er, to ripeness they were brought. 
  “The King’s affairs cannot be slackly done";—­
  ’Tis thus our parents mourn their absent son. 
  But now his sandal car must broken be;
  I seem his powerful steeds worn out to see. 
  Relief has gone!  He can’t be far from me!

  Alas! they can’t have marched; they don’t arrive! 
  More hard it grows with my distress to strive. 
  The time is passed, and still he is not here! 
  My sorrows multiply; great is my fear. 
  But lo! by reeds and shell I have divined,
  That he is near, they both assure my mind;—­
  Soon at my side my warrior I shall find!

An Ode on the Return of the Troops

  Forth from the city in our cars we drove,
    Until we halted at the pasture ground. 
  The general came, and there with ardor strove
    A note of zeal throughout the host to sound. 
    “Direct from court I come, by orders bound
  The march to hasten";—­it was thus he spake. 
    Then with the carriage-officers around,
  He strictly charged them quick despatch to make:—­
  “Urgent the King’s affairs, forthwith the field we take.”

  While there we stopped, the second corps appeared,
    And ’twixt Us and the city took its place. 
  The guiding standard was on high upreared,
    Where twining snakes the tortoises embrace,
    While oxtails, crest-like, did the staff’s top grace. 
  We watched the sheet unfolding grandly wave;
    Each flag around showed falcons on its face.

  With anxious care looked on our leader brave;
  Watchful the carriage-officers appeared and grave.

  Nan Chung, our chief, had heard the royal call
    To go where inroad by Heen-yuns was made,
  And ’cross the frontier build a barrier wall. 
    Numerous his chariots, splendidly arrayed! 
    The standards—­this where dragons were displayed,
  And that where snakes round tortoises were coiled—­
    Terrific flew.  “Northward our host,” he said,
  “Heaven’s son sends forth to tame the Heen-yun wild.” 
  Soon by this awful chief would all their tribes be foiled.