The Sung Kaou

How grand and high, with hugest bulk, arise
Those southern hills whose summits touch the skies !
Down from them came a Spirit to the earth,
And to the sires of Foo and Shin gave birth.
In those two States our Chow a bulwark has,
O’er which the southern foemen dare not pass ;
And all its States they screen, and through them spread
Lessons of virtue, by themselves displayed.

Famed for his merit was Shin’s present chief.
The king with Seay planned to enlarge his fief.
There, as his sires elsewhere had been, should he
To all the southern States a pattern be.
The earl of Shaou got charge there to provide
The capital, where Shin’s chief should preside,
And o’er the south a powerful influence gain.
There too his sons that influence should maintain.

Thus to the chief the king gave his command :—
“A pattern be to all the southern land.
Your centre Seay, go from it onwards, till
Your merit all that southern sphere shall fill.”
Shaou’s earl was charged the new lands to define,
And by Chow’s rules fit revenue assign.
The master of Shin’s hortsehold orders got,
To move betimes the harem to the spot.

The earl of Shaou thus the foundation cleared,
On which the chief’s great merit should be reared.
The city’s walls he built, and then went on
To build the temple. This work grandly done,
The chief receives four steeds, a noble team,
Whose breast-hooks ’mid their trappings brightly

Those steeds were with a car of state well matched,
And then the king from court the chief despatched.
“Your residence,” he said, “has been my care.
The south I chose. Quick thither now repair.
And take this noble mace, which I confer,
The symbol of your rank. Go, uncle, go;
Protect the southern lands from every foe.”

Soon now the chief his way took from the north.
The king in Mei the parting feast set forth.
Thence, through the capital and southward bound,
The chief of Shin in Seay at last was found.
When Shaow’s earl the country had defined,
And by Chow’s rules the revenue assigned,
Stores of provisions had been laid aside,
For the chief’s rapid journey to provide.

Chariots and thronging footmen were arrayed ;
With martial pomp the chief his entrance made.
The States of Chow rejoice. They haste to bring
Their warm and joyous greetings to the king.
‘In your great uncle,” thus they say, ‘ you’ve found
A bulwark strong. Grandly is Shin renowned!
In peace and war a pattern good will he,
Throughout our regions, to your chieftains be.”

With virtue clad, the chief of Shin shines bright ;—
Thoughmild, not weak; though strong, yet ever right.
Our myriad States his powerful sway shall own,
And with their praises his grand merit crown.
Keih-foo presents this song, well meant, well made ;—
Accept, O chief, the tribute I have paid !