High pillars rise the level court around; The pleasant light the open chamber steeps; And deep recesses, wide alcoves, are found, Where our good king in perfect quiet sleeps.

Laid is the bamboo mat on rush mat square;-- Here shall he sleep, and, waking, say, "Divine What dreams are good? For bear and grizzly bear, And snakes and cobras, haunt this couch of mine."

Then shall the chief diviner glad reply, "The bears foreshow that Heaven will send you sons.

The snakes and cobras daughters prophesy.

These auguries are all auspicious ones.

"Sons shall be his--on couches lulled to rest.

The little ones, enrobed, with sceptres play; Their infant cries are loud as stern behest; Their knees the vermeil covers shall display.

As king hereafter one shall be addressed; The rest, our princes, all the States shall sway.

"And daughters also to him shall be born.

They shall be placed upon the ground to sleep; Their playthings tiles, their dress the simplest worn; Their part alike from good and ill to keep, And ne'er their parents' hearts to cause to mourn; To cook the food, and spirit-malt to steep."

THE CONDITION OF KING SEUEN'S FLOCKS

Who dares to say your sheep are few?

The flocks are all three hundred strong.

Who dares despise your cattle too?

There ninety, black-lipped, press along.

Though horned the sheep, yet peaceful each appears; The cattle come with moist and flapping ears.

These climb the heights, those drink the pool; Some lie at rest, while others roam.

With rain-coats, and thin splint hats cool, And bearing food, your herdsmen come.

In thirties, ranged by hues, the creatures stand; Fit victims they will yield at your command.

Your herdsmen twigs and f.a.gots bring, With prey of birds and beasts for food.

Your sheep, untouched by evil thing, Approach, their health and vigor good.

The herdsman's waving hand they all behold, And docile come, and pa.s.s into the fold.

Your herdsmen dream;--fish take the place Of men; on banners falcons fly, Displacing snakes and tortoises.

The augur tells his prophecy:-- "The first betoken plenteous years; the change Of banners shows of homes a widening range."

BOOK V

_The Decade of Seaou Min_

A EUNUCH COMPLAINS OF HIS FATE

A few fine lines, at random drawn, Like the sh.e.l.l-pattern wrought in lawn To hasty glance will seem.

My trivial faults base slander's slime Distorted into foulest crime, And men me worthless deem.

A few small points, p.r.i.c.ked down on wood, May be made out a picture good Of the bright Southern Sieve.

Who planned, and helped those slanderers vile, My name with base lies to defile?

Unpitied, here I grieve.

With babbling tongues you go about, And only scheme how to make out The lies you scatter round.

Here me--Be careful what you say; People ere long your words will weigh, And liars you'll be found.

Clever you are with changeful schemes!

How else could all your evil dreams And slanders work their way?

Men now believe you; by and by, The truth found out, each vicious lie Will ill for ill repay.

The proud rejoice; the sufferer weeps.

O azure Heaven, from out thy deeps Why look in silence down?

Behold those proud men and rebuke; With pity on the sufferers look, And on the evil frown.

Those slanderers I would gladly take, With all who help their schemes to make, And to the tigers throw.

If wolves and tigers such should spare, I'd hurl them 'midst the freezing air, Where the keen north winds blow.

And should the North compa.s.sion feel I'd fling them to great Heaven, to deal On them its direst woe.

As on the sacred heights you dwell, My place is in the willow dell, One is the other near.

Before you, officers, I spread These lines by me, poor eunuch, made.

Think not Mang-tsze severe.

AN OFFICER DEPLORES THE MISERY OF THE TIME

In the fourth month summer shines; In the sixth the heat declines.

Nature thus grants men relief; Tyranny gives only grief.

Were not my forefathers men?

Can my suffering 'scape their ken?

In the cold of autumn days Each plant shrivels and decays.

Nature then is hard and stern; Living things sad lessons learn.

Friends dispersed, all order gone, Place of refuge have I none.

Winter days are wild and fierce; Rapid gusts each crevice pierce.

Such is my unhappy lot, Unbefriended and forgot!

Others all can happy be; I from misery ne'er am free.

On the mountains are fine trees; Chestnuts, plum-trees, there one sees.

All the year their forms they show; Stately more and more they grow.

n.o.ble turned to ravening thief!

What the cause? This stirs my grief.

Waters from that spring appear Sometimes foul, and sometimes clear, Changing oft as falls the rain, Or the sky grows bright again.

New misfortunes every day Still befall me, misery's prey.

Aid from mighty streams obtained, Southern States are shaped and drained.

Thus the Keang and Han are thanked, And as benefactors ranked.

Weary toil my vigor drains; All unnoticed it remains!