Classic of Poetry

King Wăn is famous; Yea, he is very famous. What he sought was the repose [of the people]; What he saw was the completion [of his work]. A sovereign true was king Wăn!

King Wăn received the appointment [of Heaven], And achieved his martial success. Having overthrown Ts‘ung, He fixed his [capital] city in Fung. A sovereign true was king Wăn!

He repaired the walls along the [old] moat: His establishing himself in Fung was according to [the pattern of his forefathers], It was not that he was in haste to gratify his wishes;— It was to show the filial duty which had come down to him. A sovereign true was [our] royal prince!

His royal merit was brightly displayed, By those walls of Fung. There were collected [the sympathies of the people of] the four quarters, Who regarded the royal prince as their protector. A sovereign true was [our] royal prince!

The Fung-water flowed on to the east [of the city], Through the meritorious labour of Yu. There were collected [the sympathies of the people of] the four quarters, Who would have the great king as their ruler. A sovereign true was the great king!

In the capital of Haou he built his hall with its circlet of water; From the west to the east, From the south to the north, There was not a thought but did him homage. A sovereign true was the great king!

He examined and divined, did the king, About settling in the capital of Haou. The tortoise-shell decided the site, And king Woo completed the city. A sovereign true was king Woo!

By the Fung-water grows the white millet;— Did not king Woo show wisdom in his employment of officers? He would leave his plans to his descendants, And secure comfort and support to his son. A sovereign true was king Woo!