| Shi King: Lessons from the States: Book III. The Odes of Phei | Title page | Shi King: Lessons from the States: Book V. The Odes of Wei |
See the preliminary note on p. 433.
PROTEST OF A WIDOW AGAINST BEING URGED TO MARRY AGAIN, AND HER APPEAL TO HER MOTHER AND TO HEAVEN.
THIS piece, it is said, was made by Kung Kiang, the widow of Kung-po, son of the marquis Hsî of Wei (B.C. 855-814). Kung-po having died an early death, her parents (who must have been the marquis of Khî and his wife or one of the ladies of his harem) wanted to force her to a second marriage, against which she protests. The ode was preserved, no doubt, as an example of [ p. 435 ] what the Chinese have always considered a great virtue,—the refusal of a, widow to marry again.
It floats about, that boat of cypress wood, There in the middle of the Ho [^600]. With his two tufts of hair falling over his forehead [^601], He was my mate; And I swear that till death I will have no other. O mother, O Heavens [^602], Why will you not understand me?
It floats about, that boat of cypress wood, There by the side of the Ho. With his two tufts of hair falling over his forehead, He was my only one; And I swear that till death I will not do the evil thing. O mother, O Heaven, Why will you not understand me?
CONTRAST BETWEEN THE BEAUTY AND SPLENDOUR OF HSÜAN KIANG AND HER VICIOUSNESS.
Hsüan Kiang was a princess of Khî, who, towards the close of the seventh century B.C., became wife to the marquis of Wei, known as duke Hsüan. She was beautiful and unfortunate, but various things are related of her indicative of the grossest immoralities prevailing in the court of Wei.
How rich and splendid Is her pheasant-figured [ p. 436 ] robe [^603]! Her black hair in masses like clouds, No false locks does she descend to. There are her earplugs of jade, Her comb-pin of ivory, And her high forehead, so white. She appears like a visitant from heaven! She appears like a goddess [^604].
CELEBRATING THE PRAISE OF DUKE WĂN;—HIS DILIGENCE, FORESIGHT, USE OF DIVINATION, AND OTHER QUALITIES.
The state of Wei was reduced to extremity by an irruption of some northern hordes in B.C. 660, and had nearly disappeared from among the states of Kâu. Under the marquis Wei, known in history as duke Wăn, its fortunes revived, and he became a sort of second founder of the state.
When Ting culminated (at night-fall) [^605] He began to build the palace at Khû [^606], Determining} [ p. 437 ] its aspects by means of the sun. He built the palace at Khû. He planted about it hazel and chesnut trees, The Î, the Thung, the Ȝze, and the varnish tree. Which, when cut down, might afford materials for lutes.
He ascended those old walls, And thence surveyed (the site of) Khû. He surveyed Khû and Thang [^607], With the lofty hills and high elevations about. He descended and examined the mulberry trees. He then divined by the tortoise-shell, and got a favourable response [^608]; And thus the issue has been truly good.
| Shi King: Lessons from the States: Book III. The Odes of Phei | Title page | Shi King: Lessons from the States: Book V. The Odes of Wei |