History & Politics

The Chan Loo

by Shi Jing (The Book of Songs) poems c. 1000–600 BC; compilation traditionally ascribed to Confucius

Translated by James Legge (1876) · From The She King (1876), Part II, Book II

History & Politics

The dew lies heavy all around,
Nor, till the sun shines, leaves the ground.
Far into night we feasting sit ;
We drink, and none his place may quit.

'The dew lies heavy, and its gems
Stud the luxuriant, grassy stems.
The happy night with wassail rings ;
So feasted here the former kings.

The jujube and the willow tree
All fretted with the dew we see.
Each guest’s a prince of noble line,
In whom the virtues all combine.

The t‘wng and e their fruits display,
Pendent from every graceful spray.
My guests are joyous and serene,
No haggard eye, no ruffled mien.

✦ ✦ ✦

A festal ode, appropriate to the convivial entertainment of the feudal princes at the royal court.

MLA

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Chan Loo.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/169/.

Chicago

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Chan Loo.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/169/.

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