{"collection":"cfu","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/cfu/bop/bop313.htm","path":"cfu/bop/bop313.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/cfu/bop/bop313.htm","text":"The Book of Poetry, tr. by James Legge, [1876]\n2\u00a0\u00a0He, the dark king, ruled with a powerful sway,\n \u00a0\u00a0Success attendant on his glorious way.\n \u00a0\u00a0First with a small state charged, then with a large,\n \u00a0\u00a0He failed not well his duties to discharge.\n \u00a0\u00a0His rules of conduct he himself obeyed,\n \u00a0\u00a0And prompt response all to his lessons made.\n \u00a0\u00a0Next came Hsiang-tu, the prince of ardent soul,\n \u00a0\u00a0And from Hsia's center, to the four seas\u2019 goal,\n Submissively all owned and bowed to his control.\n3\u00a0\u00a0God in His favor Shang's house would not leave,\n \u00a0\u00a0And then T\u2018ang rose that favor to receive.\n \u00a0\u00a0T\u2018ang's birth was not from Ch\u2018i too far removed.\n \u00a0\u00a0His sagely reverence daily greater proved.\n \u00a0\u00a0For long to Heaven his brilliant influence rose,\n \u00a0\u00a0And while his acts the fear of God disclose,\n T\u2018ang as fit model God for the nine regions chose. p. 484\n4\u00a0\u00a0To him gave up the princes, great and small,\n \u00a0\u00a0The ensigns of their rank; on hint they all,\n \u00a0\u00a0Like to the pendants of a banner, hung:\u2014\n \u00a0\u00a0So from indulgent Heaven his greatness sprung!\n \u00a0\u00a0Tang used no violence, nor was he slow;\n \u00a0\u00a0Nor hard, nor soft, extremes he did not know.\n \u00a0\u00a0His royal rules abroad were gently spread;\u2014\n All dignities and wealth were gathered round his head.\n5\u00a0\u00a0To him from all the states their tribute flowed,\n \u00a0\u00a0And like a strong steed, he sustained the load.\n \u00a0\u00a0Such was the favor he received from Heaven!\n \u00a0\u00a0Proof of his valor through the realm was given.\n \u00a0\u00a0His steadfast soul \u2019mid terrors never quailed;\n \u00a0\u00a0Nor wavered he by troublous doubts assailed;\u2014\n On to the sovereign seat he struggled, and prevailed.\n6\u00a0\u00a0The martial king aloft his banner reared,\n \u00a0\u00a0And in the field against his foes appeared.\n \u00a0\u00a0He grasped his battle-ax with reverent hand;\n \u00a0\u00a0\u2019Gainst the attack his foes could make no stand. p. 485\n \u00a0\u00a0His progress was like march of blazing fire;\n \u00a0\u00a0None could resist the torrent of his ire.\n \u00a0\u00a0Like root with three shoots was the chiefest fore;\u2014\n \u00a0\u00a0Advance none made he, and no growth could show.\n \u00a0\u00a0Of the nine regions Tang possession got;\n \u00a0\u00a0First with the lords of Wei and Ku he fought,\n And then K\u2018un-wu\u2019s strong chief, and Chieh of Hsia he smote.\n7\u00a0\u00a0In the mid time, between Hsiang-tu and T\u2018ang,\n \u00a0\u00a0A shaking came, and peril threatened Shang.\n \u00a0\u00a0But Heaven approved T\u2018ang as its chosen son,\n \u00a0\u00a0And gave for minister the great I Yin,\u2014\n A-h\u00eang, who for the king a prosperous issue won.","title":"The Book of Poetry: Book III. The Sacrificial Odes of Shang: IV. Ch\u2018ang Fa","type":"page"}