{"collection":"cfu","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/cfu/bop/bop299.htm","path":"cfu/bop/bop299.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/cfu/bop/bop299.htm","text":"The Book of Poetry, tr. by James Legge, [1876]\nIn thousands now they gather there;\n And side by side, and pair by pair,\n The roots from out the soil they tear:\u2014\nSome in the marshes lying low;\n Some where the dry paths winding go;\n Some where the running waters flow.\nThe master see, inspecting all;\n His sons, responsive to his call;\n Their households also, great and small.\nWith them are neighbors, strong and true,\n Who come all helpful work to do;\n And servants hired are present too.\nHark! how the merry feast goes round!\n The husbands\u2019 hearts with love abound;\n Their wives close by their sides are found.\nNow they begin with patient care\n The southern acres to prepare.\n The soil is broken by the share.\nThey sow the various grains; each ear\n With mystic life will soon appear,\n When the young plants their heads uprear. p. 456\nBehold in lines unbroken rise\n The tender blades, whose lengthening size\n Gains daily growth before our eyes!\nLuxuriant is the sprouting grain,\n And through it goes a numerous train.\n Who weed it o\u2019er and o\u2019er again.\nErelong their work the reapers ply,\n The golden grain is piled on high;\n The stalks unnumbered multiply:\u2014\nEnough to make the spirits sweet,\n To offer at our fathers\u2019 feet;\n To furnish what for rites is meet;\nEnough, when at the fragrant board\n Sit host and guest, for king and lord\n The glorious banquet to afford;\nEnough, when now the feast is o\u2019er,\n To satisfy the aged poor,\n And cheer them from the unfailing store.\nNor now alone, but from of old,\n And everywhere's the story told,\n Toil reaps from earth a thousandfold.","title":"The Book of Poetry: Section III. The Decade of Min Y\u00fc Hsiao Tz\u016d: V. Tsai Shan","type":"page"}