Classic of Poetry

Large was the volume of the Këang and the Han, And the troops advanced like a flowing current. There was no resting, no idle wandering;— We were seeking for the tribes of the Hwae. We had sent forth our chariots; We had displayed our falcon-banners. There was no resting, no remissness;— Against the tribes of the Hwae were we marshalled.

Large flowed the Këang and the Han, And grandly martial looked the troops. The whole country had been reduced to order, And an announcement of our success had been made to the king. When the whole country was pacified, The king’s State began to feel settled. There was then an end of strife, And the king’s heart was composed.

On the banks of the Këang and the Han, The king had given charge to Hoo of Shaou:— ‘Open up the whole of the country; Make the statutory division of my lands there; Not to distress the people, nor with urgency, But making them conform to the royal state. Make the larger and the smaller divisions of the ground, As far as the southern sea.’

The king gave charge to Hoo of Shaou:— ‘You have everywhere diffused [and carried out my orders]. When Wăn and Woo received their appointment, The duke of Shaou was their strong support. You do not [only] have a regard to me the little child, But you try to resemble that duke of Shaou. You have commenced and earnestly displayed your merit; And I will make you happy.

‘I give you a large libation-cup of jade, And a jar of herb-flavoured spirits from the black millet. I have made announcement to the accomplished one, And confer on you hills, lands, and fields. In [K‘e-]chow shall you receive investiture, According as your ancestor received his.’ Hoo bowed with his head to the ground, [and said], ‘May the Son of Heaven live for ever!’

Hoo bowed with his head to the ground, And in response displayed the goodness of the king, And roused himself to maintain the fame of his ancestor. ‘May the Son of Heaven live for ever! Very intelligent is the Son of Heaven; His good fame shall be without end. Let him display his civil virtues, Till they permeate all quarters of the kingdom.’