The Book of Poetry: Book II. The Praise Odes of Lu: I. Kung
The Book of Poetry, tr. by James Legge, [1876]
2 On the wide plains, our frontiers near,
The stallions, sleek and large, appear.
Those stallions, sleek and large, are seen;
Some piebald,—white and flushed with green,
And others white, with yellow sheen;
Some chestnuts; and some dapple gray:—
From carriage teams strong horses they!
To the duke's thoughts no limit can we set;
Turned to his steeds, such is the strength they get!
3 On the wide plains, our frontiers near,
The stallions, sleek and large, appear.
Oh! sleek and large, those sprightly males!
Some that appear as flecked with scales;
Some black, with manes of spotless white;
Some white or red, manes dark as night:—
In carriage yoked, obedient quite!
The duke's thoughts never cease and never tire;
Turned to his steeds, lo! thus they rule their fire! p. 464
4 On the wide plains, our frontiers near,
The stallions, sleek and large, appear.
Oh! sleek and large, those stallions bright!
Cream-colored, some; some, red and white;
Some, with white hairy legs; with eyes
Like those of fishes, some:—men prize
Such horses, grand in strength and size.
His thoughts without depravity, our prince
Thinks of his steeds, and such powers they evince!