| Shi King: Lessons from the States: Book IV. The Odes of Yung | Title page | Shi King: Lessons from the States: Book VI. The Odes of The Royal Domain |
IT has been said on the title of Book iii, that Wei at first was the eastern portion of the old domain of the kings of Shang. With this a brother of king Wû, called Khang-shû, was invested. The principality was afterwards increased by the absorption of Phei and Yung. It came to embrace portions of the present provinces of Kih-lî, Shan-tung, and Ho-nan. It outlasted the dynasty of Kâu itself, the last prince of Wei being reduced to the ranks of the people only during the dynasty of Khin.
AN UNFORTUNATE WOMAN, WHO HAD BEEN SEDUCED INTO AN IMPROPER CONNEXION, NOW CAST OFF, RELATES AND BEMOANS HER SAD CASE.
An extract is given from the pathetic history here related, because it shows how divination was used among the common people, and entered generally into the ordinary affairs of life.
A simple-looking lad you were, Carrying cloth [ p. 438 ] to exchange it for silk. (But) you came not so to purchase silk;—You came to make proposals to me. I convoyed you through the Khî [^609], As far as Tun-_kh_iû [^610], ‘It is not I,’ (I said), ‘who would protract the time; But you have had no good go-between. I pray you be not angry, And let autumn be the time.’
I ascended that ruinous wall, To look towards Fû-kwan [^611]; And when I saw (you) not (coming from) it, My tears flowed in streams. When I did see (you coming from) Fû-kwan, I laughed and I spoke. You had consulted, (you said), the tortoiseshell and the divining stalks, And there was nothing unfavourable in their response [^612]. ‘Then come,’ (I said), ‘with your carriage, And I will remove with my goods.’
| Shi King: Lessons from the States: Book IV. The Odes of Yung | Title page | Shi King: Lessons from the States: Book VI. The Odes of The Royal Domain |