The Book of Poetry: Book II. Decade of Shêng Min: V. Chia Lo
The Book of Poetry, tr. by James Legge, [1876]
2By virtue sought, fresh honors shine;
All other blessings follow sure. p. 370
Admired and reverent, lo! his line
Through myriad ages shall endure.
From error free, to duty true,
They rule the states, they fill the throne.
Nor shall they fail with homage due
The olden statutes aye to own.
3A bearing high and self-restrained
May they in all their conduct show!
And thus their virtuous fame unstained
With lapse of time still brighter grow!
From jealousies and envies free,
May they advance the good to place!
And blessings, boundless in degree,
Their rule through all our regions grace!
4 When so those sons of Heaven shall sway,
Nor greater cares their care withdraw
From smallest things, friends shall obey,
And find repose beneath their law.
Love shall around them cast its chain,
Kings who not idly fill their seat.
The people restful peace shall gain,
And each king with their praises greet.