Classic of Documents
周書 Zhōu shū
文侯之命 第五十六 Book Fifty-six · Wén hóu zhī mìng
王若曰：「父義和。丕顯文武，克慎明德，昭升于上，敷聞在下，惟時上帝集厥命于文王。亦惟先正，克左右昭事厥辟，越小大謀猷，罔不率從。肆先祖懷在位。
The king spoke to the following effect:—“Uncle E-ho, how illustrious were Wăn and Woo! Carefully did they illustrate their virtue, till it rose brightly on high, and the fame of it was widely diffused here below. Therefore did God cause his favouring decree to light upon king Wăn. Thereafter there were ministers who aided and illustriously served their sovereigns, following and carrying out their plans and counsels great and small, so that my fathers sat tranquilly upon the throne.
「嗚呼！閔予小子嗣，造天丕愆；殄資澤于下民，侵戎我國家純。即我御事，罔或耆壽，俊在厥服，予則罔克。曰：『惟祖惟父，其伊恤朕躬。』嗚呼！有績予一人，永綏在位。
“Oh! an object of pity am I, who am but a little child. Just as I have succeeded to the throne, Heaven has severely chastised me, and cut off our resources of bounty to the inferior people; and the invading barbarous tribes of the west have greatly injured our empire. Moreover, among the managers of my affairs, there are none of age and experience, and distinguished ability, in their offices. I am thus unequal to the difficulties of my position, and say to myself, ‘My grand-uncles and uncles, you ought to compassionate my case. Oh! if there were those who could establish their merit in behalf of me, the one man, I might long enjoy repose upon the throne.’
「父義和。汝克昭乃顯祖，汝肇刑文武，用會紹乃辟，追孝于前文人。汝多修，扞我于艱，若汝，予嘉。」
“Uncle E-ho, you render still more glorious your illustrious ancestor. You were the first to imitate the example of Wăn and Woo, collecting the scattered powers, and continuing the all-but-broken line of your sovereign. Your filial piety goes back to your accomplished ancestor, and is equal to his. You have done much to repair my losses, and defend me in my difficulties, and of you, being such, I am full of admiration.”
王曰：「父義和。其歸視爾師，寧爾邦。用賚爾秬鬯一卣；彤弓一，彤矢百；盧弓一，盧矢百；馬四匹。父往哉！柔遠能邇，惠康小民，無荒寧，簡恤爾都，用成爾顯德。」
The king said, “Uncle E-ho, return home, survey your multitudes, and tranquillize your State. I reward you with a jar of spirits, made from the black millet, mixed with odoriferous herbs; with one red bow and a hundred red arrows; with one black bow, and a hundred black arrows; and with four horses. Go, my uncle! Show kindness to those who are afar off, and help those who are near at hand; cherish and secure the repose of the inferior people; do not idly seek your ease; inspect and compassionate all in your capital, and other cities—thus completing your illustrious virtue.”