{"collection":"cfu","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/cfu/bop/bop171.htm","path":"cfu/bop/bop171.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/cfu/bop/bop171.htm","text":"The Book of Poetry, tr. by James Legge, [1876]\n2\u00a0\u00a0While there we stopt, the second corps appeared,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And \u2019twixt us and the city took its place.\n \u00a0\u00a0The guiding standard was on high upreared,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Where twining snakes the tortoises embrace,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0While oxtails, crestlike, did the staff's top grace.\n \u00a0\u00a0We watched the sheet unfolding grandly wave;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Each flag around showed falcons on its face.\n \u00a0\u00a0With anxious care looked on our leader brave;\n Watchful the carriage officers appeared and grave. p. 199\n3\u00a0\u00a0Nan Chung, our chief, had heard the royal call\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To go where inroad by Hsien-y\u00fcns was made,\n \u00a0\u00a0And \u2019cross the frontier build a barrier wall.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Numerous his chariots, splendidly arrayed!\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The standards\u2014this where dragons were displayed,\n \u00a0\u00a0And that where snakes round tortoises were coiled\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Terrific flew. \"Northward our host,\" he said,\n \u00a0\u00a0\"Heaven's son sends forth to tame the Hsien-y\u00fcn wild.\"\n Soon by this awful chief would all their tribes be foiled.\n4\u00a0\u00a0When first we took the field, and northward went,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The millets were in flower;\u2014a prospect sweet.\n \u00a0\u00a0Now when our weary steps are homeward bent,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The snow falls fast, the mire impedes our feet.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Many the hardships we were called to meet,\n \u00a0\u00a0Ere the king's orders we had all fulfilled.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0No rest we had; often our friends to greet\n \u00a0\u00a0The longing came; but vain regrets we stilled;\n By tablets stern our hearts with fresh resolve were thrilled. p. 200\n5\u00a0\u00a0\"Incessant chirp the insects in the grass;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0All round about the nimble hoppers spring.\n \u00a0\u00a0From them our thoughts quick to our husbands pass,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Although those thoughts our hearts with anguish wring.\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Oh! could we see them, what relief \u2019twould bring!\n \u00a0\u00a0Our hearts, rejoiced, at once would feel at rest.\"\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thus did our wives, their case deploring, sing;\n \u00a0\u00a0The while our leader farther on had pressed,\n And smitten with his power the wild Jung of the west.\n6\u00a0\u00a0The spring days now are lengthening out their light;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The plants and trees are dressed in living green;\n \u00a0\u00a0The orioles resting sing, or wing their flight;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Our wives amid the southernwood are seen,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Which white they bring, to feed their silkworms keen.\n \u00a0\u00a0Our host, returned, sweeps onwards to the hall,\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Where chiefs are questioned, shown the captives mean.\n \u00a0\u00a0Nan Chung, majestic, draws the gaze of all,\n Proud o\u2019er the barbarous foe his victories to recall.","title":"The Book of Poetry: Book I. Decade of Lu Ming: VIII. Ch\u2018u Ch\u2018\u00ea","type":"page"}