Book I. Decade Of King Wen. Vi. Ssu Ch'i

*
"The Book of Poetry", tr. by James Legge, [1876],

p. 345

Vi

The "Ss Ch'i;" narrative. The virtue of King Wn and its wonderful effects; with the excellent character of his mother and wife.

1Ta-jn was pure, of rev'rent life,

From whom our King Wn sprang.

Fit was she for his father's wife,

And well she loved Chou Chiang.

Ta-ss inherited her fame;

Through her an hundred sons there came.

2Wn formed himself upon his sires,

Nor gave their spirits pain.

Well pleased were they. Next he inspires

His wife. His brethren fain

To follow were. In every state

The chiefs on his example wait. p. 346

3In palace see him,--bland, serene;

In fane, with rev'rent fear.

Unseen by man, he felt still seen

By spirits always near.

Unweariedly did he maintain

His virtue pure, and free from stain.

4Some great calamities there came,

Which he could not control.

But none his generous aim might blame,

Nought darken his bright soul.

Untaught, the right he ever saw;

Reproof he needed not, nor law.

5Grown men through him in virtue grew;

Young men attainments made.

Aye to himself our prince was true,

Nor weariness displayed.

His officers acquired great fame;

To him they owed their deathless name.