History & Politics

The Sang-Hoo

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 VII

History & Politics

Flitting round the greenbeaks see,
With their wings of brilliancy!
Birds they are that men admire ;
More those lords my soul inspire
With admiring joy and love.
Heaven will bless them from above!

Here and there the greenbeaks light,
Showing necks with feathers bright.
Who but must the creatures prize?
But it more delights my eyes,
When these noble lords are seen,
Who my States from danger screen.

Screens they are, and bulwarks strong ;
All the chiefs around them throng,
And on them as patterns gaze.
Self-restraint each hero lays
On himself,—from folly free ;—
Great their happiness must be!

See the mighty cup of horn,
Round their ranks in order borne!
Full of spirits soft and good,
It excites no conduct rude.
Surely blessings haste to greet
Lords of virtue so complete !

✦ ✦ ✦

The king, entertaining the chief among the feudal princes, expresses his admiration of them, and good wishes for them.

MLA

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Sang-Hoo.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/210/.

Chicago

Shi Jing (The Book of Songs). “The Sang-Hoo.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/shi-jing/210/.

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