The Yéw Koo

See the blind musicians here !
Sightless all, the men appear,
In the temple-court of Chow.
All is ready for them now.

Stand the music frames around,
On whose posts rich plumes abound,
While their face-boards, edged like teeth,
Show the drums that hang beneath.
Sounding-stones and hand-drums there
In the concert part shall bear.
See the ch‘uh to signalize
When the music shall arise ;
And the yw, whose harsher note
Hushes instrument and throat.

When the duke has thus prepared,
Soon the various notes are heard.
Organ’s swell and flutes’ soft voice,
Make the listening ears rejoice.

Sweet the harmony of sound,
Holding all in rapture bound !
When such music shall be made,
Then our sires for whom ’tis played,
And the visitors who come,
Welcomed to this sacred home,
Shall desire it to last long,
Thrilled with the melodious song.