Classic of Poetry

Heaven, in giving birth to the multitudes of the people, To every faculty and relationship annexed its law. The people possess this normal nature, And they [consequently] love its normal virtue. Heaven beheld the ruler of Chow, Brilliantly affecting it by his conduct below; And to maintain him, its Son, Gave birth to Chung Shan-foo.

The virtue of Chung Shan-foo Is mild and admirable, according as it ought to be. Good is his deportment; good his looks; The lessons of antiquity are his law; He is strenuously attentive to his deportment. In full accord with the Son of Heaven, He is employed to spread abroad his bright decrees.

The king gave charge to Chung Shan-foo:— ‘Be a pattern to all the princes; Continue [the services of] your ancestors. You have to protect the royal person; Give out the royal decrees, and report on them. Be the king’s throat and tongue; Spread his government abroad, So that in all quarters it shall be responded to.’

Most dignified was the king’s charge, And Chung Shan-foo carries it into execution. In the States, the princes, be they good or bad, Are clearly distinguished by Chung Shan-foo. Intelligent is he and wise, Protecting his own person; Never idle, day or night, In the service of the One man.

The people have a saying:— ‘The soft is devoured, And the hard is ejected from the mouth.’ But Chung Shan-foo Does not devour the soft, Nor eject the powerful. He does not insult the poor or the widow; He does not fear the strong or the oppressive.

The people have a saying:— Virtue is light as a hair, But few are able to lift it.’ When I think of the matter, It is only Chung Shan-foo that can lift it. I love him, but can do nothing to help him. Any defects in the king’s duties Are supplied by Chung Shan-foo.

Chung Shan-foo went forth, having sacrificed to the Spirit of the road. His four steeds were strong; His men were alert; He was always anxious lest he should not be equal to his commission; His steeds went on without stopping, To the tinkling of their eight bells. The king had given charge to Chung Shan-foo, To fortify the city there in the east.

With his four steeds so strong, And their eight bells, all tinkling, Chung Shan-foo proceeded to Ts‘e;— And he will soon return. I, Yin Keih-foo, have made this song:— May it enter like a quiet wind, Among the constant anxieties of Chung Shan-foo, To soothe his mind!