elated in this poem occurred in the year
B.C. 620, when the duke of Muh died after playing an important
part in the affairs of Northwest China. Muh required the three
officers here celebrated, to be buried with him, and according to
the "Historical Records" this barbarous practice began with duke
Ching, Muh's predecessor. In all, 170 individuals were buried
with Muh. The death of the last distinguished man of the Ts[']in
dynasty, the Emperor I, was subsequently celebrated by the
entombment with him of all the inmates of his harem.]

IN PRAISE OF A RULER OF TS[']IN

What trees grow on the Chung-nan hill?
The white fir and the plum.
In fur of fox, 'neath 'broidered robe,
Thither our prince is come.
His face glows with vermilion hue.
O may he prove a ruler true!

What find we on the Chung-nan hill?
Deep nook and open glade.
Our prince shows there the double _Ke_
On lower robe displayed.
His pendant holds each tinkling gem,
Long life be his, and deathless fame!

THE GENEROUS NEPHEW

I escorted my uncle to Tsin,
Till the Wei we crossed on the way.
Then I gave as I left
For his carriage a gift
Four steeds, and each steed was a bay.

I escorted my uncle to Tsin,
And I thought of him much in my heart.
Pendant stones, and with them
Of fine jasper a gem,
I gave, and then saw him depart.

BOOK XII

_The Odes of Ch[']in_

THE CONTENTMENT OF A POOR RECLUSE

My only door some pieces of crossed wood,
Within it I can rest enjoy.
I drink the water wimpling from the spring;
Nor hunger can my peace destroy.

Purged from ambition's aims I say, "For fish,
We need not bream caught in the Ho;
Nor, to possess the sweets of love, require
To Ts[']e, to find a Keang, to go.

"The man contented with his lot, a meal
Of fish without Ho carp can make;
Nor needs, to rest in his domestic joy,
A Tsze of Sung as wife to take."

THE DISAPPOINTED LOVER

Where grow the willows near the eastern gate,
And 'neath their leafy shade we could recline,
She said at evening she would me await,
And brightly now I see the day-star shine!

Here where the willows near the eastern gate
Grow, and their dense leaves make a shady gloom,
She said at evening she would me await.