The Ts‘ae K‘e

In those new fields, till the last year untilled,
And acres which this year the grain first filled,
White millet there they reaped with eager hand,
When Fang Shuh came, the army to command.
Three thousand chariots for his orders wait,
Surrounded by a host, well trained, elate.
He led them on. His car four piebalds drew,
That moved like one great steed to human view.
A royal gift, it shone in glittering red,
With bamlsoo chequered screen, and quiver made
Of seal-skin strong. The gilt hooks we could tell
On each steed’s breast; the rein-ends graceful fell.

Where toil last year had opened harvests new,
And where about the villages it grew,
White millet there they reaped with eager hand,
When Fang Shuh came, the army to command.
His cars three thousand ; on his banners shone
Snake, tortoise, dragon, as he led them on.
Gay was his yoke; his naves were lacquered red ;
Two tinkling bells hung from each-horse’s head.
He wore the robes the king’s gift had bestowed ;
Beneath, the red knee-covers brightly glowed.
Rare gems upon his girdle-pendant hung,
Flashed as they moved, and sounded as they swung.

Swift as the soaring falcon cleaves the sky,
And wheels about in airy circles high,
Descending then, and lighting where it rose ;
So Fang Shuh led his troops against their foes.
Round the war chariots, full three thousand strong,
Close marched the men, a well-trained warrior throng.
The bells and drums his orders clear expressed,
And then the marshalled forces he addressed,
And wise arrangements made. The battle raged,
While the drums rolled, inspiring all engaged.
Victory once gained, a lighter sound they gave,
The while he ordered back the victors brave.

The savage hordes of King, made blind by fate,
Had madly dared to oppose our larger state.
Although Fang Shuh was ripe with growing years,
Yet in his plans a vigorous force appears.
Leading his troops, the hostile chiefs he bound
For question, with a captive crowd around.
How numerous were his chariots in the fray,
Numerous, and all arrayed in grand array,
Like rattlmg thunder in assaulting speed !
Oh! grand in wisdom was he as in deed!
The Heen-yun he had smitten to the ground ;
The awe-struck tribes of King his prowess owned.