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.